WATERSIDERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18232, 17 November 1924, Page 9

WATERSIDERS.

DISPUTE BEFORE COURT. BENCH SPEAKS PLAINLY. RETURN TO WORK URGED. (BT CABLE—rIIESS ASSOCIATIOK— COPTSIQHT) (AUSTKALIAK AKD N.E. CABLE ASSOCIATION.} MELBOURNE, November 13. Tho Arbitration Court to-day heard the parties to the waterfront dispute. Mr Justice Powers indicated to members of the Watersidcrs' Union certain applications which might be made to the Court, and which, if granted, would give them some of tho privileges for which they arc contending. He said, however, with considerable emphasis, that no claim or application would be considered so long as tho men remained on strike. As well as directing the men to return to work on the inter-State vessels, he earnestly advised them to return to work for tho oversea companies, which engaged labour through the Shipping Bureau.

STONES FOR MINISTERS. COLLIERIES IDLE. (AUSTRALIAN AKD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION) SYDNEY, November 15. An attempt to injure the AttorneyGeneral, Mr T. E. Bavin, was made by a number of ruffians, believed to be either watersidcrs or their supporters. A large stone was thrown at Mr Bavin, and narrowly missod hitting both him and Mr Justice Harvey, with whom he was walking at the time. Mr Bavin has on a number of occasions publicly deprecated the extremism of the Seamen's Union, and has expressed sorrow that the Stato Government is not in a position to take legal action against the' organisation, in "consequence of its being registered under the Commonwealth Arbitration jurisdiction. It is known that the outspokenness of the Minister has greatly displeased the extremists of the trade unions.

Six pits, employing "2000 men, are now idle on the Northern coalfields in consequence of tho Newcastle coal trimmers' overtime strike, and 2000 more men are idle owing to strikes. NO DEVELOPMENTS. (Received November 17th, 12.30 a.m.) (AUSTBALIAN and n.z. cable AStOCIATION.) SYDNEY. November 16. There are no developments in the overtime dispute, but it is believed, the union leaders have bo far not instructed the men to resume under normal conditions on Monday in. pursuance of Mr Justice Powers's orders. A CHARGE DISMISSED. (bt cable— pbbss association— coeibight) PERTH, November 16". The charge against Thomas Houghton, secretary of the Fremantlc branch of the Federated Seamen's Union, of having attempted to persuade seamen in the Volumnia to refuse duty, was dismissed. The Magistrate said there was not sufficient evidence to justify him find-! ing Houghton guilty. Nevertheless, in view of the interest the defendant had taken in tho Volumnia dispute, j the prosecution had sufficient grounds for "bringing the case before tho Court. For this and other reasons, he \yould j not allow costs.