German Steamers.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1922, Page 4

German Steamers.

WELCOMED BY SYDNEY ‘ WHARFIES. SYDNEY, April. 20. There is no likelihood that Sydney wharf labourers will object to handle tlib cargoes of German steamers, which will begin to arrive in Australia in a few months’ time. On the contrary, the arrival of the German steamers on the Sydney waterfront will he welcomed by wharf labourers—among them many ex-soldiers. According to the men, the position is too serious for them to pick and choose. There are at present 3900 idle on the wa'crfront, including many returned soldiers. Some of them have been out of decent work since 1917. Apart from the additional work, many of the’wharf labourers believe tha*, when the German inerehandise is dumped here, it will he sold so cheaply that local prices will have to come down. There is a section of the deep-s-a wharfics employed on a permanent basis, and in the past they have been aide to do practically all the lumping, lo addition to. these men there are 1000 casuals, many of whom have not averaged during the last twelve months more than a few shillings a week. Many cx-Diggers arc numbered among their ranks, and they have not the slightest hesitation in saying that, for the sake of their bread and butter, they will do what their mates are doing in other parts of t’-’e world—runI >ad German ships. They firmly believe that any attempt to hold up German cargoes in German bottoms would he futile, because the merchandise would he dumped into Australia to the agency of Dutch or American ships. Shipowners generally are philosophic <m the question of the re-entry of German shipping. It has to come sooner or later, they say, and their opinion is that, lit'tlg will bn said, or done.