DIRECT ACTION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 24 November 1927, Page 5

DIRECT ACTION

TO FORCE AGREEMENT AUSTRALIAN WATERSIDERS’ THREAT. PROSPECT OF DISLOCATION SPREADING. [By Cable - Frew Assn. - Copyright.) (Received 24, 11.20 a.m.) Melbourne, Nov. 24. The management committee of the Waterside Workers’ Federation met and considered the strike situation. No official statement was issued but it is learned that the union officials decided not to take any d</finite action to extend the trouble pending the result of a conference between shipowners’ representatives and the Federation’s delegates. The Federation delegates stated that deliberations would be continued to-day, when it is expected some stop will be taken with a view to the settlement of the dispute. It is understood the watersiders decided that if nothing is done to arrange a conference between the parties in the dispute the threat to resort to direct action in declaring different vessels “black” would be carried out The Australian and New Zealand Council of Trades Unions meet to-day to discuss the position. Any decision reached bv this body will have an important bearing on the future conduct of tho strike as the whole of the State Labour Councils, with the exception of West Australia, will be represented.

SHIPOWNERS’ STATEMENT. The Overseas Representatives’ Association has issued a statement which says that the shipping interests have made even’ possible effort .to find an honourable wav of avoiding the widespread dislocation which the Watersiders’ Federation is hourly bringing nearer. The task is more difficult than finding a secure foothold in quicksand. The statement proceeds: “The union declares it is deliberately crippling Australian and oversea shipping in order to obtain a hearing bv the Arbitration Court or to force shipowners into an agreement by a conference. Actually, the facts are that tne Federation had every assistance and opportunity from the Court and a friendly hearing from the association. “In both cases its refusal to abide by the past award or give reasonable guarantees for the future made the proceedings a jest. In one case the Judge recognised the absurdity of making a new award when the old one is being contemptuously disregarded and the Oversea Shipping Representatives’ Association was forced to recognise that no agreement of any nature would be oinding for one second.” It is reported from Melbourne that the watersiders do not show any desire wholeheartedly to support the executive and the feeling appears to be that they would like to gee the strike ended.

EFFECT IN TASMANIA, (Received 24, 11.20 a.m.) Hobart, Nov. 24. The Premier has telegraphed the "Hon. S. M. Bruce drawing attention to the disastrous position likely to arise in Tasmania unless the watersiders’ overtime dispute is settled. He referred to the possibility of the closing of the zinc works and the serious loss to the fruit trade and the grave interference with tourist traffic.