WATERSIDE STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1924, Page 3

WATERSIDE STRIKE.

10STRALIAN AND N.Z. C'.BLE ASSOCIATION COMMONWEALTH LINE STATEMENT SYDNEY, November 13. The 'Comin.onwealtli bine officially aiinomucs “ that the lii.tr Morcton Bay lias absolutely been indefinitely laid lip because the Hoard absolutely refused to accept the responsibility of commuting a large number of passengers, and a valuable cargo and ship to the domination of a body of men, who, on the high seas collectively defied the authortiy of the master, and refused to obey liis orders.” It also states: ‘‘That the Hoard refuses to sail the Ferndale unless the members of the crew are selected by the officers, and not by irresponsible Union officials.”

waterside strike. SURCHARGE OX FREIGHT. (Received this day at S n.m.) * SYDNEY, November 13. The Steamship Owners' Federation has decided, from the 17tli. to impose a .surcharge of twenty-live per cent on the rates of freight on cargo and 2s fid per ton on coni. They preferred that course to tying up the steamers. Even with the surcharge it is stated the losses through the waterfront dispute would exceed the additional revenue.

TRANSPORTERS’ RESObUTTOXS. SYDNEY, Nov. 11. The Sea Transporters Group of Unions held a meeting to discuss closer combination between the Transport Union and the Wntorsiders’ Federation in support of the overtime strike. It was decided to support the Federation in its fight to abolish the Shipping Bureau; also to support the Seamen’s and Stewards’ Union in their light against the Commonwealth I.ino. The meeting also condemned the Fuller Government for supporting foreign shipowners through the agency of the bureau, which was to the detriment of Australia and Australian workers, and for scheming, through agencies and certain members of the police force, to do certain tilings calculated to irritate peaceful members of the Federation to provoke a breach of the peace on the waterfront, thereby providing a means for the Government to avoid its responsibilities to the wheat growers and farmers of the country. Mr Chapman, Secretary of the Australian Rnilwaynicn’s Union, said that when the Transport Union had smashed the Bureau of Labour on the waterfront. the railwaymen would have a similar duty to perform. He urged the group to go in for job control.