SHIPPING STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1927, Page 2

SHIPPING STRIKE

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSX., COPYRIGHT. WATERSIDERS’ CLAIM. SYDNEY, Dec. 5. The Waters biers’ Federation claims there is no justification for the shipowners laying up all ships because wharf labourers refused to work overtime, and contends the award makes it optional for men to refuse work after five in the evening, and by refusing overtime they are not violating the award.

As result of the shipping strike only two out of forty mines in the Northern fields will he working to-day, idling 15,000 miners, while three thousand miners are unemployed in the Southern field. It is anticipated by the middle of the week that 45,000 workers will be unemployed in New South Wales and Victoria.

CASK BEFORE COURT. MELBOURNE, Dec. 5. Hundreds of watersiders gathered at the Federal Arbritrntion Court this morning for the opening of the hearing of the Watersiders overtime case. Judge Beeby, who presided, read a lengthy statement dealing with the events which led up to the difficulties. It seemed that an allegation had been made by the Watersiders Federation that they had been denied access to tlio Court. Judge Booby said that the Court had been open to both parties since November. The bearing of the case had been delayed only because the Union and employees had not given the necessary guarantees that they would observe ihe conditions of the existing award, and would preserve the dignity of the Court. If Unions were to have arbitration, they must obey its awards.

The judge added: That the affidavits and evidence submitted to the Court raised a strong presumption that after a long hearing and making of an award employees’ Union did not intend to accept the Court’s decision. Without the removal of that presumption, it was impossible tor the Court to hear the Union.

The judge’s request for a definite undertaking to abide by the Award, was followed by an appeal by Mr Crofts, Secretary of the Australian Council of the Trades Unions, that he should take the parties into a conference and make filial efforts to have tho case heard in open court. Air Crofts added: A full assurance that the existing award would lie obeyed, could be obtained. Judge Beeby said the executive of the Union must consider the matter, carry some definite resolution and submit it to the Court. There was an obstacle, and a very definite one in the way of the Court functioning for the present.

Judge Beeby also sought, and was given an undertaking by the Secretary of the Waterside Workrcrs’ Federotion that if the dispute as to the second pick up could he overcome, an assurance would he given enabling him to proceed with the hearing cf the Watersiders’ case. Air Crofts assured Judge Beeby that if there were any difficulties in the way in hearing the case, he believed they, could be overcome. If he would only give the Union an opportunity in conference of stating its side of the case, he undertook to give the necessary full assurance required from tho Executive. Judge Beeby, in full sense of responsibility, said he gave the union a definite chance of again working under the Arbitration system. If it decided it would not do so and members would not observe awards, they then must take their own course.

After receiving a promise that the required assurances would be obtained Judge Beeby adjourned the Court sine die. Subsequently the Executive of the Waterside Federation met to discuss the position as laid down by Judge Beebv. It is expected that a resolution will be carried as required by Judge Beeby and that the overtime strike will be called off. A combined conference of Melbourne and Sydney shipowners was held this afternoon. It is understood that the shipowners are not altogether satisfied and that their opinion is that the suggested conference can only be held at tho request, of both parties to the dispute. SYDNEY, Dec. 5. As the result of the strike stopping inter-State supplies, potatoes suddenly jumped from seven to thirteen pounds a ton. Supplies will now be confined practically to limited local sources. Among the vessels which arrived at Sydney to-day, were the mail steamer Ma-loja and the White Star Liner. Yedic, both of which brought large quantities of cargo, they were unable to unload at Adelaide or Melbourne, and they are now added to Sydney’s list of idle ships, "which is steadily increasing. Air Seale, Secretary of the Watcrsiders, voiced an objection to Lascars being allowed to remove the luggage of the Mgloja’s passengers. He said there were plenty of white Australians offering for work but their services were refused. He hoped the Company was paying the same rates to Lascars as it paid members of the "Waterside Federation. The Ulimaroa will he tied up when she arrives from New Znland tomorrow.

LATEST NEWS. WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. Following on the afternoon meeting of the Watersiders’ Federation, after the Arbitration Court proceedings, a statement jvas issued that the overtime strike was still on. PROPOSED CONFERENCE. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) SYDNEY, Dec. fi. Everything is quiet along the water front. Some ship owners are utilizing clerical employees to unload perishable cargo, even women employees taking a band.

There is a somewhat more hopeful feeling to-night in view of the doings of the Arbitration Court at Melbourne to-day, but the position is not clear. A meeting of the Employers Federation decided to support the shipowners’ attitude and appointed a committee to deal with the position and any developments that may arise. All mines in the Newcastle district, excepting two, were closed to-day. Five thousand laden coal trucks are standing on the lines awaiting shipment. MELBOURNE, Dec. 5. From the proceedings of the Arbitration Court to-day it appears that the men desire a settlement on the question of second pick-up before going to a full conference with the owners. Tho Management Committee takes the view that Justice Beeby’s statement meant that if the Federation gave an undertaking to observe awards he would deal with the question of one pick-up in conference, and that the men would not have to resume two pick-ups before a full conference was granted.

After a meeting of shipowners to-day it was learned that they regarded the preliminary conference to deal with the pick-up question as useless and that the whole of the matters in dispute should come before the full conference cf two sides which possibly will be called to-morrow,