IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14833, 26 November 1913, Page 11

IN AUSTRALIA

FEDERATION OF LABOUR ACTIVE.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, November 25. Representatives of the newly-formed Australasian Federation of Labour conferred with tho transport workers' representatives in Melbourne last week. This is regarded in union circles as significant. The voting was equal, and it was decided to meet again secretly. The Australian Federation is reticent, but admits that two resolutions were reached which practically backed up tho attitude taken at the earlier meeting regarding New Zealand cargo. The Federation has issued instructions to affiliated unions drawing attention to:' "Vast unrest is threatened among railwaymen, miners, and waterside workers, • some of whom have substantial grievances of their own. The extension of the New Zealand trouble to Australia has greatly increased the difficiilties of officials, and precipitate action might easily initiate a large industrial conflagration, , consequently no isolated action can be permitted. Tho Federation must be consulted before, and not after, an open rupture is reached. A policy has been tentatively adopted which provides a tinity view by some eighty thousand unionists in addition to our own fifty thousand, and we would suggest that if a critical situation is reached in your organisation you should keep in close touch with us, so that all wo do shall have a common, generally-acceptable purpose behind it."