SHIPPING DISPUTES

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1925, Page 2

SHIPPING DISPUTES

OBI'IIAMAN AND N.a. CABLE AhSOUIAVION. WAR ON COAIAIUNITY. FEDERAL PREMIER’S STATEMENT (Received this clay at; 10.25 a.tn.) SYDNEY, Jan. 13. At the Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Rowers, alter fixing the pricking up place at the Mercantile Office, refused to fix the hours for picking up, and because of this refusal the owners sought to have their applications withdrawn, but this Justice Powers refused. Immediately judgment was delivered All- Russell Martin, on behalf of the Commonwealth Government., asked that the Registrar of the Court he directed to apply for the deregistration of the Seamen’s Union, and the cancellation. of the existing award. He said liie Commonwealth . Government felt that it was compelled to come to the Court with this application for the protection of the public. Mr Justice Powers said lie did not think the Court had any authority to direct the Registrar in the matter. Referring to the position, Mr Bruce (Federal Premier) said:—“The paralysis cf the shipping trade had reached a crisis which necessitates definite action by the Federal .Ministry. The Ministry was reluctant to intervene so long as negotiations were proceeding between the parties, and it seemed reasonable to bone for a settlement being arrived at and the services restired by this means. “This now seems impossible, as the hold-up is being carried out in defiance of the Arbitration law without regard to the sufferings inflicted oil the workers and their families. . The ease of Tasmania is especially critical. & The Seamen’s Union will give tJ> undertaking that direct action will cease, and b yits failure to do so decease. and by its failure to do so dethe Arbitration Court and on the arbitration law. In such circumstances the Ministry has no alternative hut to take action. “The Ministry realises that for ‘ho arbitration law to function propjily unionism is essential, but unionism must realise its duty to the arbitntion law. The unions of Australia ia general do this. The Seamen’s Tinian by its action declares itself an outlaw Lent trade unionism, as Australian trade unions understand and accept that principle,”