["S.S. Koombana's Firemen", The Argus (Melbourne), Wednesday 22 November 1911, page 14]
S.S. KOOMBANA'S FIREMEN.
MEN STILL OBDURATE.
FREMANTLE, Tuesday.--No settlement of the trouble with the s.s. Koombana's firemen has yet been arrived at, and the vessel is still "hung up." Mr. McShearer, representative at Fremantle of the Seaman's Union, stated that as the result of a telegram from Mr. Cooper, general secretary of the union in the eastern States, the following message has been sent to Adelaide Council:--"It has been decided that the Koombana should be manned leaving the dispute regarding the chief steward for investigation. Members' action at the present juncture is detrimental to the best interests of the union. Special meeting cannot reverse the decision executive. Fremantle meetings are informal. The men who signed the agreement at Adelaide are liable either to suspension or expulsion from the union." Mr. McShearer brought the general secretary's communication under the notice of the men, who came over by the Karoola to replace those who had left their work on the Koombana, and urged the men to man the ship's stokeholds. This they refused to do. Last evening, however, eight men signified their willingness to join the vessel, and the secretary was hopeful of getting a full crew. This morning only six out of the eight signed on, and during the day two of them informed Captain Allen that they would not proceed in the vessel. The Koombana has now been detained at Fremantle for ten days.
