SHIPPING STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 December 1927, Page 3

SHIPPING STRIKE

(Australian tfc N.Z. Cable Association.) EMPLOYERS FEDERATION. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.> SYDNEY, Dec. 2. A meeting of the Council of the Employers’ Federation carried a resolution strongly condemning the militant action of the AVatersiders’ Federation in resorting to direct action, and desiring publicly to announce the shipowners have the entire support of the Federation ih the fight to uphold the law of the land and see that awards are faithfully carried out in shipping. If the dispute continues about fifteen thousand miners will be idled in a week. So far about twenty miners are idle in the northern coalfields, and the inter-Stato coal trade lias already almost ceased. A majority of workers idled on account of the upheaval are strongly opposed to the overtime strike and it is believed a move will be made immediately to induce the leaders of the watersiders to declare the strike off and submit the grievance to the Commadivea 11h Aribtration 1 t is expected that a meeting of the marine transport group of the union will be held at an early date to discuss a common policy for guidance ol workers during the strike.

federal government action. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) CANBERRA, Dec. 2. The House of Representatives, after an all-night sitting negatived Mr Charlton’s amendment hy 34—15 and carried Mr Bruce’s motion by 33—16. In the course of the debate Mr Bruce said the necessary labour for loading primary produce must be maintained. It would be essential to ensure adequate protection, to those who gave their services for that purpose. If that couse became necessary the Ministry would have to get into touch with the State Ministers and endeavour to arrange such protection. He added: “This Parliament has considerable power. Under the Crimen Act the Ministry can issue a proclamation declaring a stnte of industrial unrest exists and then take any action it thinks necessary.” Mr Charlton, in reply, said lie had been in communication with Mr Scale of the Watersiders’ Federation and Mr HolloWav, Secretary of the Melbourne Trades’ Hall Council. Mr Scale’s opinion was that the Government action would only make the position worse. Mr Holloway declared it would he a fatal blunder for the Ministry to act at present. He was sure the dispute could be settled.

Mr Bruce here interjected: “There will be no action by the Government if there is a chance of settlement.” Mr Carlton continued lie was prepared, in co-operation with Mr Bruce to endeavour to bring the parties in dispute together, and believed the strike could he settled within two or three days. Mr Scullin told the House that ho could, with authority, state that steps were being taken, that within a few days would bring about a settlement.

SHIPOWNERS DETERMINED. THOUSANDS IDLED. SYDNEY, Dec. 2. The shipowners are determined not to give away to the men and are now considering a plan for the establishment of a free labour bureau at every port in the Commonwealth. The strike hns now enmeshed thousands of workers, who until the last da.v or two, had but the slightest interest in the shipping dispute, and if the anticipated developments occur to-day, a national crisis, rivalling in magnitude and consequences all previous industrial disturbances is threatened. So far fifty tKousa^ruT workers have been idled and ifc is’’expected if tile dispute is not speedily settled, many thousands more will Ire affected.

Tn a statement, the owners emphasise the gravity of the situation, and state unemployment must spread through the industry until workless men will he counted out. not h.v thousands, hut hy the hundred thousand. It continues: We hardly mistake the temper of the Australian people if such conditions will be tolerated. The statement concludes: The honour of the Watersiders’ Federation is apparently so poor a thing, that it is not worth a few hours’ purchase. It is anticipated that hy Sunday oversea vessels of a tonnage of 160,000, and inter-Stnte vessels of a, tonnage of 65.000 will ho idle in Sydney alone.

The Union Companv is endeavouring to keep its steaippr’s schedule. The

Maunganui and Mamma are due to sail to-day, and if the necessity arises, will leave cargo bellind. Although a. great part of the now season’s wool clip lias already been shipped abroad, there remains many thousands of hales yet to he sold. Other lines of commerce, wore experiencing a busy period and the interstate trade this time of the year is usually very heavy. The skeleton service, provided by lines exempted from the Union’s campaign, will lie aide to deal with very small portions of the shipping trade.

SHIPOWNERS’ DECISION. CAUSES SENSATION IN LABOR CIRCLES. [Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 2. -.ie drastic action taken by shipping owners lias caused a sensation in trade union circles. Officials were unable to deal fully with the changed position, ami it is admitted that such a serious industrial deadlock was not expected when the trouble first arose. There was again wholesale condemnation of the tactics of the watersiders in having excluded all other union leaders from its consultations, when the plan of campaign was being considered. Leading officials were at a loss to understand the stand taken by the watersiders and express the view that there is an obligation on the union concerned immediately to consult the representatives of other unions which have become involved, before direct action is introduced.

Fleas that the shipowners should meet the watersiders in conference were again made by the Secretary of the Federation and the Secretary of the Port Phillip stevedores. A number of ships are already tied up and the crews paid ofF. Many more are expected to be affected to-day. The cost to oversea owners is very heavy, as the crews have been signed on for the round trip and their wages will have to be paid until the ships return to their homo ports.’ It is est - mated that, with the ships tied up today fully ten thousand workers, consistting of watersiders, carters, drivers, seamen, clerks, customs and shipping agents, coal lumpers and other employees, will be idled. It is expected by the end of the week that over a tlious.nnd ships stewards also will bo idled. Members of the Carters’ and Drivers’ Union also are affected. Several large carrying firms have already given a week’s notice of dismissal. It is anticipated that more than twenty thousand members of the Carters’ and Drivers’ Union throughout Australia will he affected within a few days. In view of the strike, the wool sales at Melbourne and Geelong are postponed until such time as the buyers have a reasonable opportunity of shipping wool purchased.