INCALCULABLE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 9 December 1927, Page 5

INCALCULABLE

AUSTRALIA’S LOSS THROUGH STRIKE COST TO THE SHIPOWNERS. VESSELS NOW GETTING AWAY. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.) (Received 9, 10.45 a.m.) Melbourne, Dec. 9. The latest estimate of the cost of the strike to shipowners is at lease £300,000, of wliich the interstate owners’ share is £lOO,OOO. The loss to the country as a whole is incaluculable. STEAMERS BEING LOADED. NO TROUBLE IN SECURING LABOUR. (Received 9, 11.30 a.m.) Sydney, Dec. 9. No difficulty was experienced in securing labour to work the Union Company’s steamer Kiwitea, the cargo of which was declared “black” during the strike because it was loaded by employees of the Zinc Company at Risdon. The cargo was discharged yesterday, and the vessel will sail on Monday. The Kakariki, held up at Melbourne for a similar reason, was also worked. LABOUR COUNCIL’S COMPLAINT. AGAINST WHARF LABOURERS’ LEADERS. (Received 9, 10.35 a.m.) Sydney, Dec. 9. At a meeting of the Labour Council members complained that the leaders of the wharf labourers declared the recent strike without consulting officials of the associated unions, the majority of whose members were rendered idle through the stoppage. The Council resolved to ask the Australasian Council of Trade Unions to convene a conference of transport unions with a view to obviating independent strikes. The Council also decided to ask members of all affiliated unions not to work overtime in order that some of the unemployed might be absorbed. WATERFRONT AGAIN BUSY. MEN ASSEMBLE IN LARGE NUMBERS. Sydney, December 8. Even before pick-up time this morning, large numbers of watersiders assembled in the vicinity of the wharves. The waterfront has been a scene of bustle all day, vessels being pulled into the berths, unloaded and getting cargo aboard. Owing to the abnormal number of vessels in port as a result of the strike, the supply of labour proved short, but it is expected sufficient will be assembled tomorrow to meet all requirements. Reports from other States show that work is similarly in progress. In a statement issued by the Sydney joint committee of Australian and overseas shipping interests, it is claimed that work was resumed on the waterfront because the shipowners have remained loyal to the Arbitration Court and the decision of the Court’s representative. Their stand has been upheld by the Court. The statement adds: “It is hoped that in future complete observance of awards will result in continuity of work and the establishment of that harmony between employers and employees so essential to the welfare of the trade and commerce of Australia.” The waterside workers rolled up in strong force for the afternoon pick-up and such labour as was required for overtime work was readily, obtainable, no objections being raised. The men at all ports appeared to be pleased to be back, and that a way out of what threatened to be a long spell of idleness had been found. Though work was resumed, there will be much delay in reassembling crews and in other directions before the shipping position is normal. In the case of inter-State ships, when the crows were paid off they had to be returned to their home ports, while overseas owners were put to the expense of maintaining the crews aboard and all branches of shipping were put to a lot of extra expense. SIXTEEN FIREMEN ARRESTED. (Received 9, 10|25 a.m.) Sydney, Dee. 9. Sixteen firemen of the steamer Rona were arrested and charged with refusing to take the vessel to sea. The dispute arose over the owners refusing a demand of the men when the steamer was entering port that extra hands be employed to attend the boilers.