SHIPPING TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1925, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLE

Australia & N.Z. Guide Association

FARMERS TAKE A HaND. BRdSBANE, Nov. 3. The arrival of fanners at Cairns do

live rod a. smashing blow to Conimunists attempting to force the hands of the local branch of the \\ atersiders Federation, and hold up produce in the district valued at over a million steiling. Many ugly incidents ocelli icd during the day, hut there were no serious casualties. Many extremists wore forced to lice from the town and others were locked up in gaol to save them from serious injury. While a huge

body of farmers were assembling near

the wharf a foreigner who was prommout in strike matters brandished a revolver. The prompt action ol' the p'>]ice prevented a possible lynching. Ihe ~ iiinii was removed to the lock-up and closely guarded hy the police. Before the end of the day eighty water.siders, free from the intimidating tactics of the extremists commenced work. Ihe , President of the local branch of the watersidors, prominently associated with the hostile attitude adopted towards the farmers openly challenged them to fight. The farmers searched for him and found him at home where he tendered a written apology and ic-* signed as President of the .federation.

DEPORTATION BOARD

JOHANNSEN ON TIUAT

SYDNEY, Nov. 3.

The Deportation Board has commenced the hearing of the ease against Johannscn, wherein In* is called upon to show cause why he should not he deported.

BATTLE ON WATERFRONT

TWO HOURS BOMBARDMENT

(Received this day at. 11.25 n.m.) PERTH, No v. 3. While the waterside workers at Fremantle viewed the rioting as interested spectators the British seamen feverishly armed themselves in the vicinity of the Uorda. The police were very patient and submitted to bombardments with lumps id' coal and stones for about two hours.. Viewing this inaction as a weakness many of the strikers approached to close quarters, taking careful aim before throwing. The. mob then appeared to he. getting out of control and the police charged and the rioters were swept hack. But before this was •accomplished the police had to pass through a. heavy hail of coal and stones. Rushing to safety the strikers ran to another steamer with the police close at their heels. Simultaneously mounted troopers made a spectacular charge down the roadway parallel with tho quay.

Many arrests were made, and the bleeding heads of the police and strikers testified to the vigor of the pro-

ceedings. The Captain of the B'*da apjlied for police protection while steam was raised and a party of police were stationed on the vessel others reon. the wharf. Hearing of this the strikers gathered on the wharf armed with hammers iron bars and short lengths of wood. The Secretary of the Seamen’s f'nion arrived on the scene and addressed the men. whereupon the latter’s atti-tude-changed from n passive demon-

stration to action. A Imglo was soundVVod from among the strikers who then commenced to attack. The Imglo was also a signal for the firemen, and seamen on the Uorda to lower l-ojfc ladders over the side of the ship, the plan evidently doing to overpower the police on the wharf and then take possession of the ship. , After a short struggle on hoard the ’ strikers were overpowered. It was then discovered that a considerably quantity of ammunition had been accumulated on the ship. There was a brief <ossation of hostilities, and then the strikers again attacked the police, hut were dispersed after sixty-five were arrested. Both police and strikers presented a dreadful spectacle with their faces and heads streaming with blood. One striker and one policeman were sent to the hospital. The Uorda was later taken from her A.berth and anchored in the roadstead. BRISBANE. Nov. 3. As the steamer T’ipiriki was round ing Kangaroo Point, strikers bombarded the vessel with stones, hut the missiles fell short. (Seneral feeling on the waterfront at Bowen is that the strike will collapse this week. Many enquiries have lieen received from the strikers as to the terms they will'receive if they return to work.

PERTH. Nov. 3. After ini attack coinmenred the .strikers rustled to the Argyllshire from the deck of which they were assisted hv other strikers in bombard inti the police. The latter lain riled tl>e Argyllshire and after ail exciting chase, under heavy ' bombardment of coal, finally cornered the strikers in The stokehold, hater advices state many on both sides were sent to the hospital. Under instructions from the Seamen’s Union, the crew of the pilot steamer refused to convey the pilot, to the molorship Hilton on Saturday and the pilot was carried by a police la unrli.

OFFICIAL ORDER TO POLICE. BRISBANE. Nov. 3. Tlio police at Bowen received official instructions that under no circumstances, must tlio farmers he allowed to lay their hands upon the property ol -A the Railway Department. This lias prevented the Port Harhy lieing coaled.

CO AT. LUMPERS AFFECTED. SYDNEY, Nov. 3. Coal lumpers are badly alfeeted by the. seamen’s refusal to work colliers carrying coal to the tied up ships. More than half the total membership of the Union is unemployed and the Union “has stopped further donations to the strikers funds. ADELAIDE. Nov. 3. After two months delay the steamer Ascanius sailed, stoked by stewards, BRISBANE, Nov. 3. A party of 630 farmers and cane cutters arrived at Cnirous pledged to assist < loading and coaling the vessels, where watersiders refused to work, except under the rotary system, although a secret ballot overwhelmingly favoured a resumption of work under present conditions. For weeks produce has been accumulating on the wharves and further storage space tor sugar is unprocurable. Farmers will attend the wharves to-day. The Chairman of the Transport Strike Committee has agreed to supplv sufficient coal to the 1 ort Ifardv to enable the refrigerators to be worked.

TROUBLE AT GISBORNE. GISBORNE, Nov. 3. Further trouble has developed in regard to the striking seamen who came to Wellington in the Port Darwin. After several delays they were taken aboard, but subsequently declined to work and returned to the shore, giving the. reason that they would not work with free labourers. The seamen concerned were formerly members of the crew of the Arawa and were imprisoned in Wellington. Upon release they were brought to Gisborne to join the Port Darwin which came direct to Gisborne from Sydney where she was held by the strike and was partially manned by

free labour. Several of the strikers were to-day found work by the local watersiders. It is stated by the agents that the sailing of the Port Darwin will not he alfeeted.