WATERSIDE STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1928, Page 5

WATERSIDE STRIKE

LIBEL DISPUTE SETTLED

TRUTH V. BECKETT’S

(Australian Press Association) (United Service.)

SYDNEY, October 19

The £IO,OOO libel claim by Ezra Norton, Chairman of “Truth” and “The Sportsman,” Ltd. against Beckett’s Newspapers, Ltd., was settled to-day out oi court. The libel was contained in open letters published in February and March, reflecting 011 Norton’s character. The defendant newspaper withdrew all of the accusations, publicly apologised, and paid the costs. r J lie case was struck out.

WHARF (STRIKE OVER

OWNERS DISCRIMINATE. -

MELBOURNE, Oct. 19

Nearly six hundred wharfmen applied for work to-day, but none ot them was picked up. Volunteers, however, continued to load ships. They were jeered by the Unionists, but police dispersed .the latter.

The Port I’ll ill ip stevedores to-day took a secret ballot, after which they decided to apply for licenses and resume work.

BRISBANE, October 19

The watersiders here, at a mass meeting to-day, called the strike off. They marched in a body in the afternoon to take out licenses, and are presenting themselves for work to-mor-row.

An Innisfail message from North Queensland states the local branch of the Watersiders have decided to work under the Beeby Award, and are now securing licenses.

JACOB JOHNSON

SIX MONTHS GAOL

SYDNEY, October 19

The appeal of Jacob Johnson against his conviction on a charge qf attempting to intimidate seamen, was to-day dismissed by Judge Cohen, who said that, beyond all reasonable doubt, Johnson was guilty. He ordered Johnson to pay the costs of the appeal, and that lie must serve a sentence of six months imprisonment.

SEAMAN FOR GAOL. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, October ’2O Jacob Johnson as lie went to the Long Bay gaol was cheered hv a number of seamen. When he was taken away lie authorised his solicitor to say that he intended to appeal to a higher court.

Inquiries in union circles elicit no likelihood of further maritime trouble following bis incarceration. 'l'C*

Tom Walsh*’s faction of the* Seamen’s Union intend to begin to clean up immediately.

STRIKE CALLED OFF. (Received this day at 9. a.m.)

MELBOURNE, October 20,

The President of the Stevedores' Association in declaring the strike off, said too many mediocre men were in leading positions, who cannot estimate the danger of the Transport Act to Unionism.