FIRST REAL TEST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 54, 26 October 1931, Page 3

FIRST REAL TEST

(Press Assn.-

ANOTHER CREW OUT MINISTER SAYS STRIKING SEAMEN ELIGIBLE FOR DOLE SYDNEY NOT SUPPORTED

-By Telegraph — Copyright.)

SYDNEY, Saturday. The crew of the freighter Macumba left the ship last night when their 24 hours' notice to the owners expired. ** This is the first real test of the attitude of the men to the decision of Thursday's Union meeting. Though five ships cleared port yesterday, in each case the period of notice has not expired. The secretary of the Queensland branch of the Seamen's Union declared that no ships will be held up at Brisbane for the present. At Adelaide the seamen intended to offer for vessels to-day. Waterside and returnecj soldier volunteers worked eargo yesterday. Interest in Sydney now centres in the liner Manunda, which is due to sail for Fremantle at 2 o'clock this afternoon. At a late hour last night the vessel had a full crew, and the men had not given notice. Shipowners are of opinion that at present there is no need to call for volunteers. At Adelaide Mr. M. Gosling, Chief Secretary of New South Wales, said the striking seamen would he eligible for the dole. The Labour Daily says it is expected that Sydney seamen will follow the action of members in Melbourne and disband the rank and file of the committee, placing the control of the dispute in the hands of ofiBcials. The decision to hold up all interState ships may be upset and the trouble confined to vessels involved prior to the meeting on Thursday. So far as Sydney is concerned these were the Canberra, Wear and Westralia. It is possible that the men may agree to return to wprk on all ships with the exception of the Canberra, provided the original crews are reinstated in their former positions and no penalties are inflicted.