STEWARDS' STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1920, Page 5

STEWARDS' STRIKE.

STEAMERS HELD UP. TRANSPORTERS WILL SUPPORT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 16, 9.55 p.m. •; Sydney, Dec. 16.

The crews of the steamers Uliinaroa and Ze&landia have been paid off. The Maheno and Niagara were due to leave to-mol'row, fully booked with passengers, many for the Davis Cup match. A suggestion lias been made that the stewards' vacancies in the former should be filled by New Zeahinders to enable the vessel to sail, as half the stewards belong to New Zealand, but the iiremen state that' if the proposal is carried out they will refuse to sail.

The position is likely to become more serious than was anticipated,' as the Transporters' Federation, embracing forty thousand workers, will. support the stewards, and the coal-miners are sympathetic. * Federal secretary of the Stewards' Union lias announced 'that the men will give notice and leave the ships ;as the vessels arrive at ports throughout the Commonwealth.

Habart reports that there is evidence that the strike was planned some time ago, for the seamen openly boasted: "Watch December 16" during the past month. The hold-up and isolation of Tasmania has caused consternation, as this is the third year the Christmas tourist season has been dislocated, resulting in great loss. A representative ptfblic meeting decided to ask Mr Hughes to commandeer the steamer Loongana, and so maintain communication with the mainland.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.