THE STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1920, Page 5

THE STRIKE.

SHIPPING DISORGANISED.

TWO THOUSAND STEWARDS NOW IDLE,

TROUBLE DEVELOPING. | By Telegraph.—Press Assn— Copyright. j Received Dec. 21, p.m. Sydney, Dec. 21. _lt is estimated that two thousand marine stewards are on strike, and the numbers are daily increasing. A cable has been received from the Marine Stewards' Federation in England, offering its support to the Australian union. The Union Company dispatched the Moeraki for Hobart this afternoon. The stewards did not give notice, as the vessel was ready for sea before it could have expired. Following the strike of stewards, the Tasmanian owners have withdrawn the agreement made with the Seamen's Union. The latter now threaten to cut off all steamer services from Sydney and Melbourne and Tasmania.—Aus. * and N.Z. Cable Assn.

EXTENSION OF THE TROUBLE.

IMMIGRANTS BECOME STRANDED. MANUKA FOR WELLINGTON. Received Dee. 22, 1.5 a.m. Sydney, Dec. 21. There is now a possibility of the strike extending during the next few days to all inter-State vessels The stewards state that they are able to carry on the strike for a long period the union being financially strong, as months ago a ten-shillings levy was struck in anticipation of the strik;>.

Forty or fifty ex-service immigrants, with their wives and families, en route to New Zealand, are stranded as i result of the strike. They have bo.eu granted an allowance by the New Zealand Government Office to enable them to live until they can continue the voyage. Comparatively few visiting New Zealanders' cases of financial difficulty are yet reported. The Union Company announce that the Manuka is sailing for Wellington on Thursday.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

NEW ZEALANDERS STRANDED. Sydney,' Dec. 21. The stewards of the Riverina intend to tender their notices on Wednesday, which completely cuts off communication with New Zealand. -

Mr. Moate. the stewards' secretary, replying to Mr. Justice Higgins, states that the latter is only heaping coals of fire and will widen the breach. He recently suggested that the union should take a plebiscite to ascertain whether members were allowed to settle their own dispute or not. It is undc/stood "that, as the outcome of the strike, the owners will endeavour to abolish tipping.

TASMANIAN OFFER REJECTED. Melbourne, Dec, 21. Shipowners have sent a communication to Mr. Highes, rejecting the offer of the Tasmanian Government on the grounds that, it will only tend to perpetuate the trouble.