MELBOURNE STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1920, Page 3

MELBOURNE STRIKE

AUS'I’UALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION’] MELBOURNE, June 21. The Industrial Disputes Committee of the Trades Hall lias decided to summon a Conference of the representatives of the Seamen’s Union and of all the Transport Workers’ Unions to consider the future conduct of tlie. gas workers’ dispute. There is a possibility of an extension of tlie trouble. It is authoritatively stated that after a State Conference is held, an interstate Conference will be summoned, similar to that convened during the seamen’s dispute last year. Many thousands of worker s are„still idle. The Secretary of the Chamber of Manufacturers states that wages do not enter into the question. The employees are fighting for principles, as it was a matter of fighting continual strikes. The Trades Hall has already suggested a round-table conference between the manufacturers and the Unions. AN UGLY ATTITUDE. (Received this day at 10.35 a.in.) MELBOURNE, June 22. The strike is beginning to assume uglier aspects. Irritated by the efforts of volunteer workers at the gasworks, strikers are preventing the replenishing of coal stocks, by declaring coal “black.” After the Trades Hall meeting a thousand strikers invaded the Government offices and forced their way into a Cabinet meeting whilst the Ministers were partaking of afternoon tea. Subsequently the Premier received a deputation but without result.