DOCKERS’ STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1924, Page 2

DOCKERS’ STRIKE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. PARLE ASSOCIATION hold-up Complete. LONDON, Fc-b. 18. The hold-up at the .port of London is almost complete. Though a considerable number ot the stevedores are working, they cannot handle the goods on the quays without the help ol ihe dockers, so the .stevedores work is circumscribed. The Meat Porters have refused to handle chilled or frozen meat, from the cold stores.

The pickets even ordered the meat contractors who came to collect their daily supplies to move oil. I lie result is that wholesale prices have already risen fifty per cent. There is sufficient imported butter in stock to hist for a fortnight. The wholesalers are imposing modified rationing it poll the retailers. They are refusing to supply more than normal supplies. The only marked change in the situation is the intimation that a Court of Enquiry is being set- up. Its sole purpose is to inform the public opinion on the merits anti facts of the dis-

pute. Ah- Bovin (dockers’ loader) announces that while the dockers are ready to accept the Court of Enquiry, they are determined to intensify the strike, which will, of course, continue while the Court is sitting.

Mr Bovin added that the. International Federation of Trades Union lias sent a message to him that during the strike, all seaborne continental ports would be held up by the Federation. Art- Ben Tillett says It is possible that the Government would utilise blue-jackets and employ free labour in that- event.

The ruilwaymon have decided to refuse to handle the goods, even mails, until ihe strike is ended.

Representatives of Elder byft’es, the chief importers of bananas, declare that eighty per cent, of the employers were willing to grant the increases which the dockers demanded.

Afoanwhilo Elders are diverting their fruit to the continent. Jn tho House of Commons, the Minister of Labour. Air Shaw, announced U,a the bad decided to appoint a Court of Inquiry under the Industrial Courts Act. to inquire into tho causes and circumstances surrounding the dock strike. It would he. under the chairmanship of Air Jlolniun Gregory. K.C. Afoanwhilo ho would Ivy to got the parties to meet again, with a view' to coming to an agreed settlement'. Air MacDonald said that, the Govern meat would not fail to take the accessary steps to secure the transport o, necessary food' supplies. They already had established the nucleus of organisation. The Premier added that he hoped nothing would he said in the House of Commons that would make difficult the only thing that really mattered., namely, the settlement of the dispute.

EFFECT ON SHIPPING

LONDON, Feb. 19

When the strike began, the stoamei Dorset had unloaded its London cargo, except 7<HK> eases of New Zealand cheese and butter aboard for Avonmouth. Manchester and Glasgow. The steamers Erroll, Middlesex and Alalna are duo in London with meat, butter cheese and wool all from New Zealand. The ships, approaching port will probably receive orders to slow down in order to avoid dock charges. The shipping companies state tlmt a week's strike would little effect the cargoes, but would seriously disarrange sailing schedules. There is some anxiety as to whether there will bo a delay of the Rnalnne, which is due to sail on February 28th. with New Zealand emigrants.