WATERSIDE STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1924, Page 3

WATERSIDE STRIKE.

AUBTUALIAN and N.Z. CADLK ASSOCIATION SHIPPING COY’S ATTITUDE. FIGHT TO FINISH. (Received this day al 8 a.m.) SY'DNEY', November It is stated that the inter-State shipping companies will endeavour to break the overtime strike hy a policy of passive non-resistance and hy laying up their steamers the trouble with the wliarlies may go on indefinitely. The oversea shipping companies with the aid of the Bureau workers can carry on indefinitely, hut the interstate companies will continue to tie up their steamers as soon as they ate unloaded and will not employ either bureau or free labour. They heliev< they will he able to stand the siege longer than the Wharf Lalmurers Union.

The Sailors and Soldiers’ Shipping Bureau lias been combined into a

"Wharf Labourers’ Union and will shortly apply for registration. A member of the Shipping Bureau on his way to work was assaulted and a body of police has been despatched to the wharves as a. precautionary measure and in future extra police will be placed on duty where Bureau men may be subjected to violence.

SHIP TO BE TIED UP. SYDNEY”, November ">

The Moretou Bay’s passengers will bo sent bv train to Brisbane on Friday. It is probable the crew will be paid off and the ship tied up.

long struggle likely. SYDNEY”, November 0

It is authoritatively stated that, before deciding upon a plan of campaign against the Shipping (free) Labour Bureau, the Waterside Yorkers Federation, with the endorsement of the Transport Group, obtained a definite assurance from each Labour Premier in the. Commonwealth that he would not permit the establishment of n Shipping Labour Bureau when trouble started. The watersiders state they are prepared to go on indefinitely with the overtime strike, because, for the first time in many mouths, most of them are earning considerably more than they have for veins. This, they state, is due to double shifts working to expedite the handling of cargoes. 'l'lie Ferndale is still without a complete crew. All the stewards have nowleft her.

Another attempt will lie made on Friday to sifin on a complete crew. The present indications point to a protracted struggle between the Commonwealth Line and the 1 nions. A meeting of the stewaids resolved that no member should apply for employment on the Ferndale until the men whom the Seamen’s Union objected to were discharged.

COM ru LXO R Y CONF F. R EXC IWANTED.

MELBOURNE, Nov. 7

The Australasian Steamship Owners Federation has decided to ask the President of the Arbitration-Court to summon a compulsory conference in connection with the overtime strike.