COMPLETE HOLDUP AT HAND.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19172, 1 December 1927, Page 9

COMPLETE HOLDUP AT HAND.

THE WATERSIDERS' DISPUTE.

OWNERS' ULTIMATUM EXPIRES

(BY CABIJS—PEISS ASSOCIATION— COPTHIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z. CABLX ASSOCIATION

(Eeceived November 30th, 8.50 p.m.)

SYDNEY, November 30.

Although warned before engagement that they were„engaged under award conditions, including overtime, the waterside workers started work this morning.

An attempt in the afternoon, however, to engage workers failed, the men saying that eight o'clock in the morning was the time to engage them. It remains to be seen what the developments will be when the men are wanted for overtime duty to-night. It is anticipated that a crisis will then develop. A statement issued by the Shipowners' Association said that at eight o'clock to-day employment would be offered the watersiders, the terms of their engagement being those defined by the Arbitration Court award, and the agreements previously accepted by the Union. Acceptance of the provisions of the award would not impose any hardship on any worker, and would not reduce the high rate of wages paid under the award. . Moreover, the shipowners would not cancel or withdraw the concessions or agreements mutually made, although these were additional to and not recognised by the award. The only change would be the elimination of arbitrary and illegal rules and restrictions which the Court refused to grant, or which were enforced without reference to the Court.

NO WORK DONE. POSITION IN MELBOURNE. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CA&LE ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 30th, 8.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, November 30. Though an unofficial statement gained currency that the overtime strike had been postponed till after Christmas, the watersiders are not working to-day.

Several hundred attended the morning pick-up, but* in view of the shipowners' ukase that they would not take on the men unless the latter agreed to work overtime, none of those offering signed on. Vigilance officers of the Federation instructed the men already engaged for to-day to continue work on the conditions on which they were engaged, but to cease punctually at five o'clock. Work was continued on a few vessels, but all overseas steamers, including the Maloja, are now tied up. It is not known whether the Maloja will remain in Melbourne or go on to Sydney, her terminal port. She has 2000 tons of cargo for Melbourne, and 3000 for Sydney. She landed 130 passengers at Melbourne, and has 160 for Sydney and New Zealand. Mr Swanson, spokesman for the Overseas Shipping Association, stated to-day that he placed little faith in the report that the strike would be suspended till after Christmas. The information from the shipping companies' officers who. attended the morning pick : up was that the men had received definite instructions not to work ovortime, and asthis was one of the shipowners' stipulations, no wharf labourers offered their services.

COMMONWEALTH LINE SEPARATE AGREEMENT WITH MEN. (atjstbalian and n.z. cable association.) MELBOUENE, November 30. Officials of the Commonwealth Line of steamers have announced that an agreement had been reached with the Watersiders >• Federation by which employment will be offered to the . men under the conditions which obtained immediately prior to the overtime strike. The Federation will provide the labour for Commonwealth liners, and, if necessary, will permit overtime to be worked. The announcement came as a bombshell to the owners, particularly as the Commonwealth Line, being a member of the Oversea Shipping Representatives' Association, was a party to the ultimatum served by the owners on the watersiders. The present agreement amounts to a repudiation of that ultimatum. The negotiations were kept a close secret until the agreement was reached. LINE NOT AFFECTED BY DISPUTE. (AtTSTBALIAK AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Eeceived November 30th, 9.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 30. Sir William Clarkson, of the Commonwealth Shipping Board, said to-day that the main bone of contention was the afternoon pick-up. That question did not concern the Commonwealth Line, as it did not require an afternoon pick-up, and because the Line was no affected U had stood clear of the Shipowners' Association in the matter.

OWNERS INCENSED. {Wmuil* AND «.* CABL* ASSOCIATION.) (Reived December Ist, 12.25 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 30. Shipowners are incensed at the Commonwealth Line standing aloof, and criving them what is described as a stab f„ the back. City supphes threatened, among the ships hung up Trades Hall Council to-morrow when nn effort will be made to force the Watersiders" Federation to consult the whole Labour movement. Over thirty overseas and interstate vessels are in port. Those due to «jl include the Kaponga for New Zealand In the Assembly, the Premier, Mr Hogan, stated that he had been exerting every effort to effect a settlement of the dispute, and hoped it would be possible to prevent a general stoppage. At Fremantle work proceeded as usual on the wharves dunng the dnJ, but it was expected that the men win to-night refuse overtime duties.

AGREEMENT CONFIRMED. (Received November 30th, 8.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 30. Mr Seale, secretory of the Sydney Branch of the Waterside Workers" Federation, confirmed the statement that the watersiders had reached an agreement with tho Commonwealth Line to work overtime, and said they were willing to make some agreement with the inter-State companies which did not possess any ulterior motives The crew of the Kiwitea had been paid off. Further overseas vessels got away to-day, somo without completing loading. OVERTIME REFUSED. SYDNEY MEN NOW OUT. (AUBTBALIAS AND Jf.Z. CABL« ASSOCIATIOX.) (Received December Ist, 12.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 30.

The watersiders came into line with Melbourne, when at 5 o'clock they wero asked to wort overtime, and refused. This means that under the shipowners' terms of agreement, all loading and unloading of overseas and inter-State vessels has ceased, and the ships are tied up. These latest developments are accepted as an indication. that a long struggle 's commencing. The Seamen's Union has asked tho Watersiders' Federation to meet its representatives in conference to consider the future conduct of the dispute. It is stated that the seamen intend to urge that all ships throughout Australia be declared black.

At Newcastle, the wharf labourers worked" during the day, but to-night followed the lead of the Sydney men and declined overtime work. NO WORK AT BRISBANE. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 30th, 9.38 p.m.) BRISBANE, November 30. Not a single wharf labourer offered his services under the shipowners' stipulations at the mprning's pick-up. STOPPAGE AT HOBART. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z- CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 30th, 9.38 p.m.;

HOBART, November 30. Failing to give the undertaking required by the shipowners at the pickup this morning, no waterside. workers were engaged, and the loading and unloading of vessels ceased. Among the ships, affected is the Kairanga, loading for New Zealand. UNION COMPANY NOT AFFECTED (Received December Ist, 1.25 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 30. As the Union Company's steamers do not work overtime, no trouble is anticipated in getting them away. It is' rumoured that the shipowners will take a decisive step to-morrow morning. The. men attending the morning pick-up will bo asked if they are prepared to work right on, and if the reply is in the negative they will not be given work.

POSITION IN TASMANIA.

CANBERRA, November 30

Replying to a request from a deputation of Tasmanian members of the Senate and House of Representatives, asking that action bo taken immediately to relieve the position in Tasmania caused by the overtime strike, Mr Hruee said that the Ministry was closely watching the dispute. It was hoped that within a few days it would be possible to decide what action the Commonwealth could usefully take to end the dispute. GOVERNMENT'S VIEW. EFFORT TO COERCE COURT. CANBERRA, November 30. In the Senate, Senator Pearce stated that the Government had no intention of bringing presure to bear on the Arbitration Court to interfere in the overtime strike dispute. The watersiders were endeavouring by a species of terrorism, to make the Arbitration Court bow to their dictation. There was a duty on the watersiders to obey tho conditions laid down by the Court. The Government would go to any length to preserve law and order and to see that industry was carried on. He added that there was an obligation on the Labour Party to tell the men that they were in the wrong. Tha motion for an adjournment was allowed to lapse.

MINERS THREATENED WITH IDLENESS.

SYDNEY, November 30,

Although inter-State shipping is greatly delayed, it is not anticipated that this will affect the departure of the Maunganiii, Marama and Makura. It is stated that if shipping at Newcastle is at a standstill for more than a few days, the majority of the northem coal mines will be compelled to close, throwing more than 12,000 miners out of work.

INTERVENTION POSSIBLE. MELBOURNE, November 30. There is every possibility of the overtime strike developing into a serious deadlock in the event of the absence of outside intervention.

The Emergency Committee appointed by the Australian Council, of Trades Unions has been advised to watch events, but further intervention by that body is unlikely, although, should the ships be tied up as threatened by* the shipowners, widespread unemployment would result among the members of the many other unions, which are linked with the council. It will then be essential for an outside organisation to step in, despite the assurance giver. by the Watersiders' Federation that it is capable of conducting its own disputes without outsfde interference.