AUSTRALIA’S STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1917, Page 3

AUSTRALIA’S STRIKE.

MURK PaRTICUI-AHS

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.]

WELLINGTON September 5.

Following is the remaining portion of the report of the Australian strike published yesterday SUGAR-WORKERS’ POSITION.

SYDNEY August 18.

Following the announcement of tho probability of the refinery at Yarraj villo being closed on Monday unless | the. employees of the Colonial Sugar Refinery Company agreed to discharge raw sugar on.tho steamers Kadina and Tarcoola, many N retailers sent in large orders for sugar. Tho officials of the company stated to-dnv that there are ; certain stocks in hand, and these they Imped would he sufficient to supply tho j needs of all customers until the indus-. trial dispute ends. In the holds of the Kadina. which is at present, tied up to the Colonial Sugar Refinery docks are 3100 tons of raw sugar, while the Tarcoola, which will come in on Monda v. has 4000 tons aboard.

No meeting of the Sugar Workers’ Union has boon called to consider tho option offered the men of discharging the raw sugar from.the steamers or allowing the works to be closed down. Tn this union, as in others, everything is to he left to the individual notion. Many employees in the company are entitled to considerable sums under the Provident Fund, which has been established while others will bo entitled to pensions. Some employees stated to-day that these facts might have an influence on their decision.

There is plenty of labour offering at the office of the National Service ■Bureau, and the men working on tho wheat stacks at Brooklyn are a happy family. So successful has the National Service scheme proved that tho directors have already been compelled to find bigger office accommodation.

HOPE IN PERTH. . X

PERTH, Aug. 20th

Tho lumpers at Freomantlo refused to load flour for .Tava and Singapore, hut volunteers came forward,.and one steamer got away with a full load. The Lumpers’ Union held a meeting yesterday, and the men are to meet again on Monday morning. Although nothing is officially announced as to what transpired at the meeting, it is believed that the majority of the men are favourable to resume work. There has been a move to increase the number of volunteers. and clear the cargo, but there is some doubt in official circles as to what attitude will be adopted by the vessel’s seamen and firemen. The State Government lias been in touch with tho Lumpers’ Union’s .representatives, and the meeting of the men yesterday was the outcome of these negotiations. The Cabinet is adopting conciliatory methods, and is evidently influenced bv the general feeling among those in tho best position to judge the situation, that wise counsels appeal to the saner-minded members of the body of men concerned. If this opinion he correct, there is every likelihood of the. men - turning to some time to-mor-