SHIPPING STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1927, Page 3

SHIPPING STRIKE

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) AFTERMATH OF STRIKE. SYDNEY, Dee. 8. The strike caused such widespread dislocation of inter-State cargo and passenger services that much time will elapse'before normal trade is restored. In many instances the crews of vessels were paid off. In a number of cases the owners may not find it convenient to recommission the ships immediately. With the exception of the 'lasmaniai. services, which were exempt from the strike, there are now only two interstate passenger vessels in commission. The cargo of the Ulimaroa will be discharged before the vessel’s departure to-morrow. A large proportion of the coal miners idled through the strike will he unable to resume for several days, while a long period will elapse before some mines in the northern fields are re-started. SYDNEY, Dec. 8.

There are twenty-five overseas steamers of an aggregate tonnage of 1/5,450 in Sydney, waiting to work cargo, and tlie owners suffered enormous losses. It will he necessary to work overtime on nearly all the wharves in an endeavour to make up the delay. The owners are stated to feel very deeply the manner ill which they were dealt with in the dispute, especially as Counsel for the owners were • prevented from discussing the matter in ( unit yesterday. The obligation is on them, however, to obey the law and they will do so and allow the case to he investigated by Judge Beeby. The “ Sydney Morning Herald,” commenting on the statement, says: “ The serious aspect is that tile order made by the Court concedes temporarily to the Union an important point and so tends to justify direct action by the Union as an adjunct to arbitration.”

The article concludes: “ Without penalties for the course of conduct it pursued, without loss of its ioreeful gains in regard to the crucial pick-up matter, and with only assurances that they are no more binding than others previously made and broken, the Waterside Workers’ Union is restored to an especially favourable standing in the Court. What is the liucly effect of that upon other strong unions, that are inclined to mix judicial arbitration with mass action in proportions to suit themselves? We fear it may not he good.”