Native Seamen's Strike Creates Police Problem
More than 600 mainly Javanese seamen in Sydney refused to sail their vessels, leading to mass arrests and prosecutions for being absent without leave or disobeying their masters. Many declared that they wanted to return to Java and chose imprisonment rather than comply, with 130 men each fined £10 or sentenced to 20 days in gaol. The dispute caused serious concern about disruption to Netherlands East Indies shipping and required extensive police intervention.
As more and more native seamen, all races of the East Indies, refuse to work their vessels, police are acting swiftly to prevent serious dislocation of certain shipping lines.
MORE than 600 of these seamen, mostly Javanese, have refused to sail during the past month.
An official of the company which controls the ships on which the men work, said today that, significantly, no similar trouble had been experienced on the company's ships at Melbourne ports.
Police patrols worked almost continuously from 6 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. today transporting from a Sydney wharf more than 200 native seamen to the Water Police Court cells.
The men will be charged with being A.W.L. or with disobeying the lawful command of the master.
Remarkable scenes were witnessed at the Water Police Court today when 130 other native seamen were charged with disobeying commands.
Colorful Scene
Most of them were Javanese, but others were Timorese, Sudanese, Indonesians and other East Indies races, and they presented a colorful spectacle.
Dressed in dungarees, overalls and skirts, vividly colored scarfs and black and maroon skull caps, the men jabbered excitedly as they filed into court.
A special tram was requisitioned to take the men to Long Bay gaol after they had been dealt with.
Outside in the court quadrangle, Customs officers searched the seamen's "Dutch wives" — long bolster-shaped pillows — for weapons, money and contraband.
Some of the "wives" hid native weapons — wicked-looking knives of almost every description.
One velvet skull cap had its owner's "passport to heaven" in the lining. This priceless document was of mauve-colored rice paper, covered with white scrolls.
Piles of enamelled cooking bowls with gay festoons of tropical flowers lay in one corner. A collection of guitars and ukuleles and beautifully-colored painted baskets contrasted sharply with the surroundings.
Mr. J. D. Holmes (instructed by the Commonwealth Crown Solicitor) appeared for the prosecution, acting on the authority of the Vice-Consul of the N.E.I.
Secret Ballot?
After conversing with the men, the court interpreter suggested to Mr. Wood, S.M., that a secret ballot be held to determine their attitude. He added he was sure the majority wanted to return but were afraid to say so in court.
Mr. Wood pointed out that a secret ballot was not court procedure.
The men declared they wanted to go back to Java.
Mr. Wood fined them each £10, in default 20 days' imprisonment.
The men said they would serve the sentence.
There was an outcry when Inspector James remarked to the interpreter, "Tell them that after they have done the 20 days they might get more gaol."