MORE VESSELS LAID UP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1276, 3 November 1911, Page 5

MORE VESSELS LAID UP.

DIVIDED OPINION IN THE UNION. MO ANA'S CARGO UNTOUCHED. (Rcc. November 2, 9.15 p.m.) Sydney, November 2. Tho sudden action of tho deep-sea men completely surprised tho shipowners, and has greatly accentuated tho congestion at tho wharves, lis effect will bo particularly felt in connection with a number of partially loaded and unloaded oversea vessels, and it will add to the long list of coastal and inter-State vessels already laid up.

A strong section of tho deep-sea men freely expressed their dissatisfaction at the stoppage, and a petition is being extensively signed asking tho executivo to call another special mass meeting. It is understood that arrangements aro being made to hold tho meeting on Saturday.

Tho Shipowners' Federation will probably meet to-morrow to discuss tho situation.

In addressing one of a number of im. promptu meetings to-day, a prominent member of tho Wharf LabouTCTs' Union declared that the action of the union in calling out tho men was like that of a burglar entering a man's house without giving warning. Tho whole thing was unconstitutional and illegal, and ho would rather loso tho whole of tho society's funds than act dishonestly liko this.

Tho unwonted work at the wharves is beginning to tell on the clerks and permanent hands, and as a eonsonucnce some of tho companies aro curtailing their already small consignments, and aro refusing to receive moro cargo.

Tlio deep-sea men's action left tho Union Company's steamer Tofua's cargo of bananas partially unloaded. The fruit merchants and clerks aro finishing tho work.

The Moana, from Wellington, has not been touched sinoe her arrival, and other vessels aro similarly situated. Tho crows of some of tho deep-sea vessels have replaced tho wharf labourers. •

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. MATTER STILL "UNDER CONSIDERATION." Melbourne, November 2. In tho Federal House of Representatives, Mr. W. M. Hughes, Attomey-Gen-era.l, in reply to further questions regarding tho Sydnoy strike, stated there had been a breach of agreement. Ho had under consideration the matter of what action he could take.

Sydney, November 2. In the State Assembly, in reply to a question whether he intended prosecuting the strikers, Mr. A. C. Carmiehael (Minister for Labour) asked for notice. The same answer was given on tlio previous day.

GREAT INCREASE IN RAILWAY TRAFFIC. Sydney, November 2. Tho inter-State railway traffic has tremendously increased owing to tho striko. PRESS COMMENT. ALLEGED SHIRKING OF RESPONSIBILITY. Sydney, November 2. Tho "Sydney Morniug Horald" states that tho action of the men in ignoring the agreement resolves itself into an attitude of contumacy, of which many must bo ashamed. Repudiation of agreements threatens organised industrialism with disintegration. Tho papor asks: "Will tho Governmont dare uso its legislative authority to down tho striko? If not, what bccomes of its pretence of responsibility ?" Tha "Daily Telegraph" declares that.

political Labour is sustaining the Government::, and that, obviously, they daro not faco thoir responsibility by enforcing arbitration in preference te a strike.

"WITHOUT PROVOCATION.'! 'A DELIBERATE BREACH OF AGREEMENT. In view of the attitude adopted by the strikers in rejecting Urn advice of tho executive of the Watersido Workers' Federation, with which the members of tho Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union are affiliated, Mr. J. Morris (secretary of tho federation) to-day forwarded the following letter to tho Trades Hall Council:— "I am instructed by tho council of tho Watersido Workers' Federation to lay before your council tho following brief statement of tho position in which the federation, finds itself in connection with tho cessation of work by tho Sydney branch. At a conference held in * Melbourne in November, 1910, the rates and condition.-.' demanded by the federation wore discussed. Every branch of the federation, including Sydney, was represented, and had )>eeu asked to furnish mo with a complete schedule of rates and conditions demanded by its members. Tho various branches, including tho Svducy branch, duly oomplicd with this request. After various meetings, tho rates and conditions were duly settled by tho parties, _ subject to ratification by tho respective branches. The rates and conditions asked by the Sydney branch were wholly conceded by tho shipowners, and in some particulars even better tcrma wore granted _ than asked for. Tlio branches were in due course asked to ratify or reject the agreement. Bach branch, be it noted, had a separate agivorncnt owing (o conditions differing in tho various ports. This was done, and amongst others the Sydney branch formally accepted tho agreement, which was for a years, expiring ill

The letter, after further reference io the agreement, continued "Tho Sydney branch, without notice to us and without the slightest provocation, has deliberately broken tho agreement thus entered into. Tho whole of tho branches of tho federation are seriously involved in the consocmences, and tho movement, both politically and industriaiYvi s ° i)OU censure for a deliberate broach of an agreement in which all that was asked for was granted. Tho constitution of tho Watersido Workers' Federation expressly provides that 110 -stens involving the cesxatioii of work as this (loos should ho taken by any branch without first consulting tho council, and, secondly, without talcing a ballot of tho whole of tho members of the federation. Neither of these steps was taken. Ail agreement honourably entered into has been broken without provocation or notice, and the oouncii desires tho support of organised Labour throughout tho Commonwealth to fettle the matter by an immediate resumption of work bv tho Sydney branch unon the terms of tho agreement. Hoping that wo will have tho full support of your council.—J. Morris, secretary Waterside Workers' Federation.