SHIPPING STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1927, Page 2

SHIPPING STRIKE

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN’., COPYRIGHT. OAVNERS TO ‘FIGHT TO A FINISH.’ AIELBOURXE, Dec. 2. The wharves to-day presented a desolate appearance. Excepting the loading of one Commonwealth, steamer, nit work is at a standstill. The shipowners are awaiting advices from other inter-i State poiltu 'before attemping to evolve a definite policy for the future. One of them declared that there was no chance of a compromise. The owners would figlit to the finish.

BRUCE RETICENT. CANBERRA, Dec. 2. Air Charlton asked Air Bruce to supply information regarding the watersiders’ strike. The Premier requested that questions should not- be asked about the strike" without notice. The situation was so delicate that he was not going to run a risk of prejudicing it by unconsidered statements. However, he promised to do anything * in his power to bring the two sides ,J| together and endeavour to effect an s amicable settlement.

ALABAMA AND AfAUNGANUI SAIL. SYDNEY, Dec. 2. The Afaunganui sailed at 4 p.m. for AA’ellington, and the Afarama at 4.45 for Auckland. Both got away on time. The only trouble experienced as a result of the strike was that the Mamma was compelled to -leave behind some two hundred tons of cargo, and / the Afaunganui a small portion. All inter-State ports report a complete cessation of waterfront activity, and cargo is piling on the wharves, which are already congested. Railways are reaping the benefit of a large amount of passenger and freight traffic intended for sea transit, but which is now diverted to the railways.

AYORTvERS’ DELEGATES TO CONFER, SYDNEY, Dec. 2.

The waterside workers to-day were plenteously reaping the fruit of theii decision not to work overtime. Overseas and inter-State vessels at all ports are practically all tied up, and inter-State trade and overseas export is paralysed. It is estimated that 135 vessels and thirty-five thousand men are idled by the opening moves, in what threatens to he a most serious conflict. In Sydney alone 33 ships, with a tonnage of 170,000, are idled. The Trades Hall estimates that if the trouble extends, the numlier of unemployed in waterside and kindred occupations in New South AA ales will exceed 21,000, not including 25,000 coal miners, should the trouble, .as it threatens to do. lead to the closing of coafl mines. Of the vessels idled in Sydney, 15 are wool ships, whose quick loading is a matter of importance to meet the overseas wool sales. The stopping is also a heavy blow to the inter-State shipowners, who were preparing to handle the heavy Christmas trade.

Much interest centres in the steps the Federal and State Governments propose to adopt to- meet the situation. Regarding the rumours that the shipowners might employ non-union labour, owners describe these rumours as premature. The strike affects the whole marine transport group, including seamen, watersiders. stewards, cooks, shipwrights. ship painters, dockers, trolly and draymen and coal lumpers. Representatives of every section of this group are being summoned to a conference in Melbourne, with the object of establishing control and direction of industrial activity in the dispute. A FREE LABOUR BUREAUX. MELBOURNE, Dec. 2. After the shipowners’ conference today, a statement was issued that their policy remained unchanged. AD' Mathers (Chairman of the AVatersiders’ Committee of-Management, asked if his members would agree to work overtime if one pieking-up time was conceded, said that was only one

of the two issues involved in the dispute. The question of preference to meml>ers of the Federation was the other issue. Not until both were conceded would the watersiders work overtime. Pending the hearing of tlieir claims by the Arbitration Court, Senator McLaehlan, Assistant Federal Minister, is watching affairs on behalf of the Federal Government. He states that the Government does not intend to take immediate action, hut the situation is being closely watched. During the day lie held a conference with the Chairman of the Overseas and Commonwealth shipowners and the Secretary of the Trades Hall Council. It is understood that the shipowners’ conference to-day discussed the question of free labour, and will consider the matter further to-morrow. The main point is that they want a definite assurance of adequate protection. if they establish a free labour

bureaux. BRITISH OWNERS’ ATTITUDE. LONDON, Dee. 2. The British shipping and conimer< ’ I interests are watching the Australian strike anxiously. The newspapers are giving prominence to the cables. It is a tragic coincidence that while news from Canberra reports Mr Bruce’s reference to thousands of boxes of butter, being left" unloaded, a full column advertisement is appearing in the “Daily Herald” urging housewives of the workers to buy Australian butter, the best value offered. The Peninsula Company informed the “Daily Chronicle” that it was hoped that the Maloja would not be delayed more than a few days, as it was thought that unloading was able to proceed in the daytime. No decision was taken regarding the other liners now en voyage to Australia. The “Daily Express,” under a front page streamer headings, recalls the. 1925 strike, which cost millions before its collapse was caused by the seaen. This time the Hock workers were responsible.

STRIKE EFFECTS. 'Received this day at 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 3. In the Assembly. Mr Bavin announced he had wired Mr Bruce that the Government would co-operate with the Federal Government in any measures adopted for the waterside strike. MELBOURNE, Dec. 3. Because of ttie alleged employment of non-union labour. Sunbeam Austral coal miners in Ivorumburra district and all mines controlled by Wallace and Winperly in Jumbunna and Out- j ram districts are declared black. This * is the finale of a long-standing dispute. It is estimated the shipowners move in the waterside strike has directly idled twenty thousand in Victoria. Unless there is a settlement before Christmas, many thousands more will lie indirectly affected. Meantime the loss of wages and to industry through the paralysing of business is enormous.

SYDNEY. Dee. 3. Seale. Secretary of the Watersiders, claims that it is a lock-out. As far as they arc concerned, there is no strike. They are willing to keep the wheels of industry moving up to 5 o’clock, but the shipowners are determined to inflict a great hardship and loss on the community by enforcing their demands and must carry the blame for the trouble which has arisen.