SHIPPING STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1927, Page 2

SHIPPING STRIKE

BY TELUGRATH PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. LATEST POSITION. MELBOURNE, Dec. 3. The shipowners decided that if the dispute was not speedily settled, the number of steamers at present tied up shall sail without discharging and loading cargo. At a conference of representatives of the Seamen’s Fnion with the Atanageinent Committee of the watersiders, tlie seamen urged that there should be joint control in the dispute, and that other organisations, whose members were already involved, should be immediately consulted before the strike developed further and thousand ol other unionists idled.

Since the beginning of the strike the watersiders have adopted the attitude that they did no want intervention by other organsations, but this policy lias relaxed the last few days, and after their conferring with the Australian and New Zealand Couiu/I ol Trades Unions, the hitter, in an official statement, says the Council is taking steps to intervene, with a view to arriving at a settlement of the dispute, and is endeavouring to induce the Arbitration Court to move in the matter. Plans are also formulating for convening an

interstate conference of all tlie Unions concerned, and there is also the probability of the Federal Alinistry being approached with a view to eliciting its assistance.

It is contended that the Arbitration Court is now faced with a much more serious position than it was when the dispute was only between the shipowners and watersiders, because practically every federated Union is now either directly or indirectly affected, and that aspect has made it absolutely imperative that the Court, which was the recognised authority for the settlemen of disputes, should into! \ one without further delay. It is therefore suggested that it would call a compulsory conference of the parties in the dispute.

EFFECT ON CHRISTMAS TRADE. SYDNEY, Dec. .3 There are approximately 64 oversea steamers in Australian waters, with a tonnage of 41.000. All these are affected by the strike. All* Meeks (President of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce) states that a complete hold up ol shipping at the present juncture can only be described as a dire calamity. All steamers arriving are carrying seasonanle goods, which, if they cannot be placed on the market for the Christmas trade, will have to remain in bond stores tor twelve months, and risk deterioration and loss. The interest will be a heavy burden for the commercial community.

BRITISH OWNERS’ THREAT. LONDON, Dec. 2. British and foreign shipowners trading with Australia have issued a statement, pointing out that Australia will in a short time he completely isolated and asserting that the present deadlock is forced upon them by the workers’ Federation treating the conditions of the Arbitration Courts contemptuously, and that shipowners have no wish to prolong the stoppage, but unless the men are prepared to accept the conditions laid down by the Court, it will he necessary in order to prevent a complete paralysis of trade to take prompt steps to obtain any labour, including watersiders, if willing, which may come forward on the terms of the award. MELBOURNE, Dec. 3. The first definite move in the way of a settlement of the watersiders’ strise was made yesterday by Air Crofts (.Secretary of the Federal Trades Union Committee) telegraphing Air Bruce, offering to give all possible assistance to-morrow to secure an amicable settlement.

The cross plaints by the Waterside Workers’ Federation and Commonwealth Steamship Owners’ Association, and other shipowners involved, will ! ■<• mentioned in the Federal Arbitration Court at Alelbourne to-morrow. It is understood the following terms of settlement are to lie suggested unofficially by the Union mediators to the Court officials : That the overtime strike be declared off; that the men resume work at all ports under award conditions ; that the question of one or two pick-ups he left to the Board, of Reference, and that the Court hear immediately the men’s log claims. The .Management Committee of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, in an official statement, declares that it lias accepted the challenge of tile shipowners, and will use all the forces at its command to support its position. The statement adds: “The Committee of Afnnagement lias made every endeavour to localise the dispute to its own occupations.” After dealing with the attitudes of the two sides, the statement goes on : “ The shipowners, to cover up the weaknesses of their position, and confuse the public mind as to the issue, have launched what they are pleased to call an ultimatum, which is a direct result of their failure to stampede our members.”

Crews of vessels are being paid off as they reach port. The steamer Port , Denison got away for New Zealand on Friday. ATTITUDE OF BRITISH UNIONS. LONDON, Dec. 3. The Seamen’s Union and transport Workers’ Union have adopted a “wait and see ” attitude in connection with the Australian strike. Neither lias up to the present received official news from Australian, and they do not contemplate action. POSITION OF ADELAIDE. ADELAIDE, Doc. .3. AVliarf labourers attended pick-ups yesterday, hut their services were l ot .required. AYliile the men are obeying the orders of the Board of Afanagcment, they appear individually to have little heart in the struggle.