MARITIME STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1931, Page 5

MARITIME STRIKE

MASS MEETING RESULT. (Australian Press Association.) ' SYDNEY, October 27. There was a. seamen’s mass meeting in the basement of the Towu Ha.ll today, which ended abruptly in pandemonium. One section, dominated by the “Reels,” supported a motion for the extension of the strike to small vessels, both State and inter-Siate. Another section, consisting of the 'moderates, clamoured for the resumption of work. Hcots l , free fights, and violent language prevented anything in the nature of a proper understand- ' ing being reached. The Chairman was ! Mr Jacob Johnson. He finally declared the motion ext ndjng the strike carried, and then left the meeting. The moderates repudiated his ruling. Uproarious, scenes occurred and a substitute chairman, Mr W. Herbert, announced that a further meeting would be held to morrow, when a further vote would be obtained. It was ascertained that the motion to extend the strike was actually defeated bv a substantial majority of the seamen a,t the Town Hall meeting, but the Chairman had declined to accept the decision, this resulting in the meet, ing breaking up in disorder. The Chairman’s name was Loveday, and not Jacob Johnson as previouslycabled.

The. passenger liner “Orungnl” sailed to-day with a full crew, The vessel’s departure was effected in the same manner ns the “Mainunda's” on Saturday. The striker® were thus outwitted. WELLINGTON, October 27.

“We got away without a hitch,” said Captain Darroek, master of the “Ulimaroa,” which arrived to-day from Sydney, “but I would not like to say the shipping trouble is over yet. There are so many unemployed and Communist agents that it- is impossible to say what will happen.” SEAMEN’S DEMANDS. MELBOURNE, October 28. Seamen resolved not to agree to an extension of the strike hut were prepared to confine the dispute to the steamer Canberra. They are making fresh demands on the shipowners including the restoration of ten per cent cut in wages. The steamer Manunda sailed for Adelaide with a full crew.