GOOD IF CORRECT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 30 November 1927, Page 5

GOOD IF CORRECT

OVERTIME STRIKE POSTPONEMENT FOR CHRISTMAS. AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.] (Received 30. 11.15 a.m.) Melbourne. Nov. 30. It is unofficially stat-'d that the management committee of the Watersiders Federation has decided that the strike be postponed until after Christmas. STATE-OWNED STEAMERS. REPUDIATE ULTIMATUM. (Received 30, 10.10 a.m.) Melooume. Nov. 30. It is officially announced that the Commonwealth Line of steamers has reached an agreement with >,he Watersiders’ Federation by which employment will be ottered to the men under the conditions which obtained immediately prior to the overtime strike. The Federation will provide labour for Commonwealth liners and. if necessary, will permit overtime to be worked. The announcement came as a bombshell to tho 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 agrement amounts to repudiation of that utltimatunr. The negotiations were kept a close secret until agreement was reached. INTER-COLONIAL NOT AFFECTED. (Received 30, 11.30 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 30. Although inter-State shipping is greatly delayed, it is not anticipated* ithis will affect the departure of tfie Maunganui. Marama and Makura. COAL MINES MUST CLOSE. It is stated that if shipping at Newcastle is at a standstill for more than a few days, the majority of the northern coal mines will be compelled to close, idling more than 12,000 miners FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S POLICY, ACTION TO END DISPUTE. (Received 30. 11.30 a.m.) Canberra, Nov. 30. Replying to a request from a deputation of the Tasmanian meiAbers of the Senate and House of Representatives, that action Im taken immediately to relieve the position in Tasmania caused by tho overtime strike, Mr Stanley Bruce said the Ministry was closely watching the dispute. It honed within a few days it would be possible to decide what action the Commonwealth could usefully take to end the dispute. In the Senate, Senator Ogden moved an adjournment to call attention to the watersiders’ strike. Condemning the men’s attitude, he said the union should be forced to comply with the awards. The Federal Government should exercise every power it possesses to meet force with foice, and make these men obey the law. He asked, were a few men to be allowed to bring industrial depression and hardship upon tho community? If he had tho power ho would deregister them and remove them from the protection of the court.

In the Senate Senator Pearce stated that the Government had no intention of bringing pressure to bear on the Arbitration Court to interfere in the overtime strike dispute. The watersiders were endeavouring fiy a species of terrorism to make the Arbitration Court bow to their dictation. There was a duty on the part of the watersiders to obey the conditions laid down by the court. The Government would go to nny length to preserve law and order and see that industry was carried on. Senator Pearce added that tnere was an obligation on tho Labour party to tell the men that they were in the wrong. A motion for adjournment was allowed to lapse. shipowners"manifesto. AGREEMENTS' MUST BE KEPT. (Received 30. 10.10 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 30. A statement issued uy tho Shipowners’ Association says that by 6 o'clock to-day employment will be offered the watersiders, the terms of engagement being those defined by tho Arbitration Cdurt award and agreements previously accepted by Che union. Acceptance of the provisions of the award will not impose any nurd ship on any worker and will not reduce the high rate of wages paid under the award. Moreover, shipowners will not cancel or withdraw concessions or agreements mutually made although these are additional to and not recognised by the award. The only change will bo the elimination oi the arbitrary and illegal rules and restrictions which the Court refused to grant or which were enforced without reference to tho Court.

A meeting of shipowners at Melbourne drew up a list of rules, which have been disregarded by the watereirlei , a id upi '■'* ten the iwrers will now insist. If the men agree to the conditions and afterwards infringe any award or conditions, the owners will stop all work on any particular ship or group of ships, and tie them up. WIDE SPREAD DISLOCATION. IF STRIKE CONTINUES. (Received 30, 10.10 a.m.), Melbourne, Nov. 30. There is every possibility of the overtime strike developing into a serious deadlock in the event of the absence of outside intervention. Tho 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 ships be tied up, as threatened, by the shipowners, widespread unemployment would result among the members of many other unions which are

linked with the Council. It will then be essential for some outside organisation to step in, despite the assurances given by tire Watersiders’ Federation that St is capable of conducting its own disputes without outside THE SEAMEN’S ATTITUDE. The wharf labourers and stevedores will offer for work as usual to-day, but only on the conditions now prevailing They will give no guarantees. This is in accordance with the instructions of tho Watersiders’ Federation management committee, which is waiting to see what tactics the owners will adopt to-morrow before making a further move A meeting of the Melbourne branch of the Seamen’s Union adobtod a resolution declaring the seamen did not want the strike, but if the shipowners forced the dispute they demanded that a eomrncug policy between the seamen and the watersiders be adopted, and that all ships overseas and inter-State throughout Australia be declared black. It was also resolved that until such time as the tactics om ployed to assist the watersiders in their fight fv better conditions are decided upon, members of the Seamen ’s Union perform their usual shipboard duties. PROSPECT OF DEADLOCK. Sydney, Nov. 29. In anticipation of the possible failure of the negotiations in tho waterside strike to-morrow, agents iljre making strenuous efforts to get vessels away. A number of overseas steamers are hurrying loading to prevent being tied up. Union circles agree that unless the watersiders agree to the shipowners' ultimatum, there will be a deadlock, the owners being determined. The Sydney branch of the Seamen’s Union to-day discussed the position, but failed to roach any decision as to their attitude. The Kiwitea is coming to Sydney, where tho crew will be paid off.