IN AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1922, Page 5

IN AUSTRALIA.

GAOL FOR STRIKERS. REFUSAL TO SAIL PALOONA. TWENTY-FIVE MEN CONVICTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 13, 8 p.m. Melbourne. Nov. 13. The Paloona trouble is not settled. The company proposed to put another fireman in place of the one who demanded Australian rates, but the crew declined to sail unless the dissatisfied fireman was signed on and his demands granted. After the men’s refusal of the order to get the steamer away the police arrested twenty-seven sailors and firemen. About 120 passengers are affected.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Nov. 13, 9.45 p.m. Melbourne, Nov. 13. Twenty-five members of the crew of the Paloona were sentenced to fourteen days’ hard labor on a charge of combining to impede the progress of the .shin. The crew pleaded not guilty. The Paloona’s booked passengers have been notified that the trip has been cancelled. The mails for New Zealand have been removed from the ship.

CONVICTIONS IN SYDNEY. THE WAIKAWA’S CREW. NO CHANGE IN POSITION. Received Nov. 13, 9.45 p.m. Sydney, Nov. 13. Thirty-one members of the crew of the Wftikawa were sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment with hard labor on a charge of disobeying the lawful commands of the master, 'the men all pleaded guilty to the charge. The captain explained that the men were on New Zealand articles, and when ordered duty they refused. Counsel for the Union Steam Ship Company stated there was some question of a change in wages in New Zealand, but that could only be settled over there. The crew had no notice, of a reduction in wages set out in their articles. The men had been misled. They saw what has been happening in New Zealand, and their action was an attempt to prevent any change that may be legally decided on in New Zealand.

It is understood proceedings are pending against the Moeraki’s crew for leaving the ship. Both the Waikawa and the Moeraki are still lying in the stream. The company is refunding the fares of the Moeraki’s passengers. The Union Company does not anticipate trouble over the crew of the Makura, which arrives to-morrow. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. NO CHANGE AT DUNEDIN. MANY TRAVELLERS HELD UP. A CHATHAM ISLANDS SIDELIGHT. Dunedin, Last Night. There are no further developments respecting the shipping hold-up. A curious position has arisen in connection with the hold-up of the Kamo. This vessel was to have taken the election papers to the Chatham Islands, as well as mails and cargo, and unless another vessel can be secured it is just possible that the residents of the Islands may be disfranchised, A good deal of inconvenience is being caused intending passengers to the north. Among those who were delayed are a number of ministers and elders who had been appointed delegates to the Presbyterian General Assembly, which opens at Auckland on Wednesday. The total thus delayed in the South Island is probably in the neighborhood of 100. Manufacturers are beginning to become apprehensive and talk of closing down. The drawback is that transport •for their outputs cannot be secured. The jam-making and confectionery trade is likely to be seriously affected owing to the scarcity of sugar.

FRUIT MARKETS LOST. PLIGHT OF NELSON GROWERS. GREAT LOSS THREATENED. Nelson, Last Night. The strawberry and cherry growers of the Nelson district are greatly concerned as regards the threatened loss of I the result of a year’s labor. This is I most perishable produce, and large* ' quantities will be ready during this ' week. Pea growers are in the same j unenviable position. The plight of other j producers is not quite so acute, but it i require.? only a cessation of shipping for a week or* two to put tomato growers in a similar predicament. The Anchor Company’s steamer Alexander joined the idle fleet to-day. The Union Company’s Nuakuta calls at the outer anchorage at Nelson early to-mor-row morning on her way from Westport to Wellington, and she will pick up a crew coming overland from Westport, while she will also take mails. The Titoki, due at Nelson to-morrow, will lay up. The Anchor Company hope to i be able to dispatch the Nikau for Wellington to-morrow evening. The auxiliary scow Kohi i<? timed to leave for Wellington to-morrow. ANXIOUS TO RETURN. AUCKLAND SEAMEN’S ATTITUDE. Auckland, Nov. 13. The Kaituna’s crew gave notice today and will he paid off to-morrow. The crews of four more auxiliary vessels have given notice to the Northern Company. The Seamen’s Union had a largely attended meeting this morning. It is stated that it was decided to go back to ! work on Monday if the vessels are j available. THE REPORT RIDICULED. Auckland, Last Night. The Seamen’s Union met to-day. Official.? declined to make any statements, but ridiculed the report that it had been decided to resume on Monday. — I THE SEAMEN’S CHALLENGE. WAR ON THE COMMUNITY . Auckland, Nov. 13. | Mr. Gunsen, Mayor, says the action

of the seamen is a challenge to the community calculated, to cause a crisis in trade and commerce. It is particularly a challenge to the Government and to all public authorities. The reported decision of the leaders to allow the men to return to work for a week and then to repeat the stoppage is the most preposterous proposal ever made Iby responsible Labor leaders. Were the position not so serious it. would be ludicrous. The country, if forced, can only accept the challenge, and the responsible and thoughtful people of Auckland for their part will meet any circumstances that arise as the result of an action that can be regarded only as war on the community. It is necessary for the trades union loaders to Ray, and say quickly and in emphatic terms, whether they value and desire the Arbitration Court and the present industrial system. If they do not the country will have to find a practical and effective way by which the normal business may be carried on. PREMIER HAS NO NEWS. THE POSITION AT NAPIER. Napier, Last Night. Mr. Massey reached Napier by car from Wellington at 9.30 to-night. Seen regajding the seamen’s strike, he did not desire to express any opinion as to the probable outcome of the trouble, and stated that he had no information in connection with the matter. The watersiders this morning refused to discharge 200 boxes from Richardson’s Tangaroa, the crew of which had signed off, and members of the company’s office staff did the work. The unloading of the Kini and the loading of the Ruahine continued without interruption. MERCHANT SERVICE NEUTRAL. Wellington, Nov. 13. After a meeting of the Merchant Service Guild this morning the secretary declared that he had no announcement to make, but it is understood the guild will take sides neither with the Seamen’s Union nor the shipowners, and will carry out the terms of its award to the letter. STRANDED IN CHRISTCHURCH. . Christchurch, Nov. 13. Upwards of 50 horses brought from the North Island for the recent race meetings are still held up. The crews of the Katoa, Kaikorai, and Wingatui were paid off this morning. The stewards of the Wahine were aiso to be paid off this morning. The most southern delegates to the Presbyterian General Assembly, which opens at Auckland on Wednesday, are held up, but it is unlikely the assembly will be .postponed. WELLINGTON VIA PICTON. Wellington, Nov. 13. Three cars and a char-a-banc left. Christchurch at 9 a.m.. loaded with passengers for the North who hope to get across from Picton. The mail left by car at 10 a.m. to connect with the Admiral. The position at Lyttelton is unchanged. The Kamona arrived to coal the Chatham, but the men have given notice, and if the men cannot be got she will lie up. The Progress, for Nelson and Grey mouth and the Storm for Picton and. Wanganui will sail to-day. SHIPOWNERS CONFER. Wellington, Nov. 1.1 The New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation meeting was held to-day. No joint action has yet been taken by the shipowners, but it is expected the meeting will result in some definite course being decided. The Government may be asked to initiate legal proceedings to secure the observance of the award. . It is probable that if the irritation strike theory is correct the seamen, on offering for re-engagement, will be naked for a guarantee that they will remain at work, otherwise the ships will remain idle.