THE STRIKE RUMOUR.
LABOUR OFFICIAL'S STATEMENT. "Nothing is further from our minds than the creation of industrial trouble ( either now or after the forthcoming Labour conference," said Mr Hiram Hunter, secretary of the United Federation of Labour and representative of the Drivers' Federation on the Transport Workers' Advisory Board, in tho course of a statement to a representative of "The Press" yesterday in reference to the rumour of a strike among seamen at Wellington. The suggestion had been made, he said, that organised Labour intended to create trouble on the industrial _ field. U I don't know whether what is known as 'the other side' is fishing for information as to what our intentions are,." ho said, "but I want to say most definitely that there is no intention our part to create a strike. Anything of that nature is not oven being considered. On the contrary, the_ object of tho conference and tho object of Labour organisations such as the Federation of Labour and the Transport Workers'. Advisory Board is to have workers thoroughly organised and discinlined so that, industrial strikes will bo prevented." , ,
Continuing, Mr Hunter said that these large Labour nllianres had been brought about for defensive and not aggressive purposes. Tho underlying principle was that when any organisation had a dispute with the employers the kindred organised workers should be given a voire, and enabled to take a part in endeavouring to settle the trnnble before any action likely to involve them in a strike was taken. Mr Hunter went on to sav: "At the big industrial Congress held last Juiy thero was drafted a programme for consideration by employers to g workers more control on the industrial field nnd to create greater industrial stnbilitv. It seems to me that certain interested parties want to bring; about a strike, and are endeavouring to foist the blame for such a. happening upon the leaders of organised Labour. Wo absolutely refuse to be saddled with any such responsibility. Further. I denlorc tho tendency of 'the other side,' those opposed to us in municipal and general politics—to endeavour to deprive Labour of the representation that it is entitled to—by moving, for instanco, to rescind the system of proportional representation. I think such moves are very dangerous at the present time in view of the unsettled state of mind of the general public." v
INTEB-OOLONIAL SERVICE. AGREEMENT REACHED. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 16. The seamen unanimously decided to accept the Union Company's terms. The Makura is sailing for Vancouver and the Moeraki for WoHinprton to-day. The terms granted bv the Union Company terminate.-when the ports mentioned are officially declared free of influenza, or three months hence. SAILINGS RESUMED. (Received January 17th, 12.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, January 16. The secretary of the Seamen's Union is pleased with the settlement. He says the men have scored a good victory, and will go back to their ships in good heart. The settlement also covers the IJiumata and Joan Craig, which have shipped crews. The Moeraki and Makura sailed nt 8 o'clock to-night. Both have big passenger lists. The Karori, which was also held up, got away for Vancouver. The Atua sails for Fiji to-morrow. SEAMEN'S UNION. DEREGISTRATION SOUGHT. MELBOURNE, January 16. In the application by the Commonwealth Government for the deregiatration of the Seamen's Union, Mr Justice
Higgins granted an order nisi returnable on January 24th. STRANDED- AUSTRALIANS. MELBOURNE, January 16. An arrangement has been completed, between the Commonwealth, and New Zealand Governments for the return of the Australians stranded in New Zealand, the Commonwealth undertaking to bear the expense of quarantine. CPPORTUNTYTO RETURN. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, January 16. An opportunity is to be given to the stranded Australians to return by tho fi.s. Tofua. which is leaving Wellington to-morrow afternoon for England, via' Adelaide. Sir James Allen has informed the: Australian Government that it is impossible to saddle the Admiralty with t-ho expense of transporting stranded) Australians. If the Government chooses' to indemnify the Admiralty and the agents against loss, thfe Ulimaroa will be allowed to call at Melbourne, and if no reply is received by this morning tho idea will be dropped. The steamer has to take away troops from Mesopotamia before the hot season sets in, and cannot be delayed without the risk of fever and loss of life. Australians here are staggered at their Government's attitude.. WELCOME NEWS. \ (SPECIAL TO "THE tHESS,") DUNEDIN. January 16. The news of the ending of the intercolonial shipping trouble will be very welcome to the general public and business houses all ovor New Zealand, us not only has the dispute between the seamen and the Union Steam Ship Company caused a complete disorganisation of the intercolonial mail and passenger services, but it has also caused a great accumulation of oversea cargo at Sydney, consigned to various Dominion norts.
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Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 6
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805THE STRIKE RUMOUR. Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 6
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