AUSTRALIAN NEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2774, 18 May 1916, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS

SHIPS' OFFICERS IN STRIKE TIME SHOULD THEY INTERFERE? By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Kec. May 17, 10.10 p.m.) Sydney, May 17. The hearing at the Arbitration Court of the Merchant Service Guild's claims against the Steam Ship Owners' Association, was productive of interesting argument to-day—probably never previously discussed in legal circles. Employees have frequently made strong representations against officers of coastal ships handling cargo where the wharfmen were on strike. It was stated that during the New Zealand waterside strike an order which was given to officers to interfere! almost precipitated a strike amongst the officers, and this was likely to occur again unless the Judge included something in the award allowing officers to remain neutral during strikes. , Mr. MDonald, on behalf of the Owners' Association, was unable to make any suggestion. The companies were not prepared to accept the Responsibility of defining what masters or. officers should do in certain oases. The Judge considered that tlie principal difficulty was that if lie. inserted such a clause in the Guild's award the next claim would be to have it inserted in the seamen's award. Argument was postponed till a later stage, when evidence has been elicited, i The ; granting of the claims will mean an extra annual expense to the owners of .533,000.

BACK TO THE LAND, A&PIEATIONS Civ OVER 17,000 SOL- . DIEES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, May 17. An analysis of 60,967 cardis from soldiers asking their intentions regarding employment or the taking up of positions, shows that 25 per cent, were promised reinstatement in their former employment, and 17,062 desired to settle on the land, of whom 11,610 state they have had previous experience. The number who liavo no provision in the future for employment is 25,256. LABOUR'S MORAL FIBRE SAPPED. ARBITRATION COURT INDICTED. , Brisbane, May 17. Tho President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce Conference sharply .criticised the Federal Arbitration Court for its unmitigated failure, except in ono respect, in raising wages, The effect upon tho workers had been lamentable; discipline and inclination to work were rapidly sapped. Ten years hence the damago to the moral fibre of labour would ho such that a quarter of a century would be insufficient to effect a remedy. SEQUEL TO BAKERS' STRIKE. (Eec. May 17, 10.15 p.m.) Melbourne, May 17. Tho Government has suspended the Bread Board for a year, attributing its action to 'tho operative bakers striking after the Premier had offered to consider their claims for the introduction of legislation to compel day baking.