IN AUSTRALIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1922, Page 5

IN AUSTRALIA.

MEETING OF SEAMEN. MEN IN ANGRY MOOD. RUMOR OF BOYCOTT", By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 16, 10.15 p.m. Sydney, Nov. 16Members of the Seamen’s Union marched in a body to a mass meeting to discuss the position which has arisen through the New Zealand trouble. The hall was packed and the meeting lasted three hours. The Press were barred. There were indications that the men were in an angry mood. The only information given was a statement by Mr. Walsh, president of the Seamen’s Union, at the close of the meeting, that a resolution was carried protesting against what was described as vindictive sentences on the Moeraki’s crew. He said: “As to whether other ships will be manned or not, time alone will tell.” There is a rumor current in the city that a proposal is afoot to declare the Union Company’s fleet, including vessels engaged on the Australian coast and the Tasmanian trade, “black.” It is reported a cablegram has been received in Sydney from the New Zealand Seamen’s Union, advising that official opinion in the Dominion is that the Moeraki’s firemen should have waited until they reached their home port and had their alleged grievances considered there. It is officially stated that the company’s offer of immediate re-employment for the Moeraki’s imprisoned men remains good. The remainder of the Moeraki’s crew, who are on New Zealand articles, have not yet been paid off. A heavy New Zealand mail was placed on board the Waiwera at Newcastle today. The Kauri, which has also shipped mails, has not yet sailed, but it is hoped both will get away to-night or to-morrow.

THREAT OF THE SEAMEN. BOYCOTT OF UNION VESSELS. STATEMENT SUPPORTED. Received Nov. 17, 1.20 a.m. Sydney, Nov. 16. Though no official information is forthcoming, good authority supports the statement that the seamen’s meeting decided to declare the Union Company’s vessels (‘black” and that none of its vessels will be manned until the crews of the Moeraki and the Waikawa have been released. Two of the company’s steamers whose crews are on Australian articles left on the Tasmania run to-night. Trouble is expected in connection with the Whangape, arriving from New Zealand to-morrow. The Ulimaroa continues booking passengers and expects to get away for Auckland on Saturday. Up to a late hour neither the Kauri nor the Waiwera had sailed from Newcastle, though the Kauri had cleared the Customs and was ready to depart. Melbourne, Nov. 16. The position in regard to the Paloona is unchanged. The Orvipto trouble is settled. The Seamen’s Union claims a victory in establishing the principle that overseas steamers cannot carry passengers on the Australian coast unless the crew are paid Australian rates “of wages.