ECHO OF STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1922, Page 5

ECHO OF STRIKE.

CHARGES AGAINST SEAMEN. ALLEGED PARTIES TO STRIKE. COURT RESERVES DECISION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, December 5. Thirty-six seamen were charged before Mr. Page, S.M., to-day with being a party to the strike, and sixteen others remained unserved. Proceedings were taken, by the inspector of awards under section 5 of the Arbitration Amendment Act, the penalty asked in each case being £lO. A ease was heard against D. Manson, able seaman, of the Wainui, as the basis upon which all cases will be decided Counsel for the department claimed that the defendent had taken part in a strike as defined in section 3, and his cessation of work was due to a combination or Agreement with others, with the objeci of enforcing terms, whether he or his employer was in the right or wrong. The statute made combined action an offence. Each of the men, on giving notice, had said it was because of the decision of a meeting held in Wellington. It might be contended that the men had left work in a legal manner, as the men were entitled to give 24 hours’ notice, but the fact that the employment termijiated in a legal manner had already heen held not a sufficient reason for holding such action as the present one not to be a strike if done in combination.

Mr. Young, secretary of the Seamen's Union, called by Mr. Brown, was questioned regarding the award, which he said he had unfortunately seen. Witness declined to say whether.he had interviewed the shipowners’ committee on the ground that it might incriminate himself, and the objection was upheld. Regarding the meeting of the union on November 10, witness denied that the question of the award was discussed, nor wa* the question of the men terminating their employment. There was no indication whether the men were unanimous on the course of action or not. Witness said he did not recollect the nature of business transacted at the meeting, and agreed with counsel that the meeting was very vague. Witness was also cross-examined regarding the statement made in the press end admitted saying the men were solid. He added that the men were still solid and happy. After hearing further evidence the jdecision was reserved till Friday.

CASE OF THE KAHIKA. OBJECTION TO NON-UNION MAN. REASON FOR FIREMEN LEAVING. Wellington, Last Night. Besides Manson’s case, a second case was heard, differing in some particulars from those from which Manson’s was selected as a type. This was against N. McKinnon, and the facts alleged were that the Kahika left Dimedin with a union man who was not a donkeyman, because a regular man could not be secured. A non-union man was engaged at Wellington, but the firemen refused to go to sea unless a union man 'was taken on. The crew gave notice at the same time. For the defence, it was contended the men supposed they had been deceived about the ship going to sea, but the magistrate said there was no evidence to that effect. On the general question the defence urged it must be proved that McKinnon was a party to an agreement to cease work. What the prosecution meant was that there had been a conspiracy.

The opposing counsel objected to this Word, which was not mentioned. He contended there was clear evidence of an agreement as to the Kahika men, and there Was not a shadow of defence raised. Decision was reserved till Friday.

LINK WITH AUSTRALIA. MAKURA REACHES AUCKLAND. PLENTY OF MEN AVAILABLE. Auckland, Last Night. The Makura dropped anchor in the stream jt six o’clock this morning, after a fine run from Sydney, which was left shortly after six on Friday evening. The passengers declare the trip to have been an especially pleasant one, wanting in nothing in the way of comfort and attention, despite the ‘ scratch” crew of seamen and stewards. There are about 25 seamen, 30 engine-room men, and 110 stewards, as far as could be seen. The Makura lay at anchor in Sydney harbor on Wednesday last with the threat of a long spell of idleness ahead, until, on a sudden, the Union Company advertised for men to man the big ocean-goer. There was no lack of response, and the office? of the company were besieged with men anxious for work, and the complement could have been filled over and over again. Preference was given to men with sea experience, and, as a matter of fact, all the deckhands were old sailors, and the navigation of the ship was assured. There is* no “stokehold” in the Makura, in the true sense of the word, the liner being an oilburner, and it was not hard to get men competent to do the work required in the way of oiling and cleaning. There were 350 passengers for Auckland on the Makura, most of whom had been delayed in Sydney through the shipping hold-up. It was a time of great anxiety for them in Sydney, many New Zealanders fearing they might not even be able to get home for Christmas, so threatening were the rumors of an extension of the strike. It is stated there are thousands of volunteers in Sydney willing to man the ships of the Union Company to maintain uninterrupted communication with New Zealand, and that the services of these men will be utilised if “the union boycott’” is maintained. “We have had enough of their nonsense,” said one officer. “The company is going to run its ships without Union dictation in future.’’

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. RUSH OF LABOR FOR SHIPS. rsy Telegraph .—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 5, 9.35 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 5. The rush of volunteers to man the Union Company’s vessels set in at an early hour, but the men were told they were not required until Wednesday. There is .every indication that the company will be able to restore normal sendees to New Zealand, both cargo and passenger, as a result of recruiting. It is reported the will be recommissioned for the New Zealand service. a