THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2951, 20 October 1925, Page 2

THE STRIKE.

AN UGLY .TURN.

Auckland, Last Night

An ugly mood developed among the striking seamen on the waterfront to-day. On the Otaki, the argument of force, in the form of fisticuffs, was employed to bludgeon a minority into a continuance of the strike. This persuasion was effective, after a general melee and the disaffected majority then turned on the cooks. The battle was unequal, the odds being many to one and the galley staff beat a retreat. The victors then took charge of the galley. Other unpleasant features today were two assaults made on volunteer seamen. On the other hand, a hopeful sign was the sailing of the Port Nicholson which is the first British vessel with a European crew not to be affected in any way by the strike. To-day was the second occasion on which the seamen of the Otaki refused to take the vessel to sea. In consequence, she could not leave for Wellington as intended. She was scheduled to sail at mid-dajq but was not ready at that time, owing to all cargo for Auckland not having been discharged. Most of the seamen were on board and the majority had apparently decided not to take the vessel to sea. However, the decision was not unanimous until the men had fought the question out among themselves with bare knuckles. The result was victory for those favouring a continuance of the strike. The seamen then attempted to induce the cooks and baker to join them in the strike, but this the men of the galley staff refused to do. Some of the seamen then tried moral suasion by attacking the cook and baker and also by wrecking the galley. ,The cooks beat a retreat. Before the baker could escape, however, he was assaulted, but was not badly hurt. The men then turned their attention to the contents of the galley and before they finished, all the crockery ware was smashed and the pots and pans damaged. The cooked food in the dishes was taken on deck and as much as possible was eaten by the men, who used their hands as substitutes for knives and forks.

By this time a posse of police had arrived on the scene and dispersed (lie men. A number of strikers went on shore but had rejoined tl-.e Otaki when the cargo work was finished at half-past three. As the Otaki was ready to sail, tho men were mustered on deck and were asked by the Captain whether they would take the ship to sea. This they refused to do. He then warned them of the consequences of their refusal, but the warning was unheeded. In consequence, forty of the seamen will appear in the Police Court to-morrow, charged with refusing to obey the lawful command of the master.

OUTLOOK BRIGHTER AT PORT

NICHOLSON,

Wellington, Last Night

The outlook on the shipping si t ike is said to be looking much better, after the prolonged inactivity. The following steamers sailed from Wellington during the weekend : Port. Dunedin, Benicia, and Kent, while the Athonic, Malakann and Trevelvn have arrived here.

Wellington, Last Night

At the instance of the Labour Department summonses have been served upon the Seamens and Firemens' Union, C. B. Fittes, and \V. T. Young, General Secretary, arising out of the issue of a circular in regard to the working of valves and machinery on board ship. There are three alternate charges, namely, inciting to strike, inciting a breach of the seamen’s award and taking proceedings to defeat the intention of the award, the summonses were issued in Auckland ami the eases will come no for hearing on Tuesday. October AT, at Auckland.

TWO EIKRMKM GAOLED.

Auckland. Last Might

Two dromon from the steamer Taiimi. K, Stanhope ami ,1. Barnes, wore sentenced in the Police Court to-day to two months' imprisonment for continued disobedience of ordors.

Mr. R. McYeagh. who appeared for the master of the vessel said I lie men struck in Wellington. They were brought to Auckland by the Shaw Savill and Albion company upon their assurance that they would work and all their expenses had been paid. In the morning however, they refused to raise steam on a boiler.

One of the striking seamen, Thomas Davis McNamara, aged 20 pleaded guilty to assaulting W. Forbes.

Chief-detective Cummings said Forbes, who was a free labourer on a ship, was at a street meeting on Sunday afternoon, when he was struck over the head by accused, who had no provocation. Accused was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment.