WATERSIDE TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1928, Page 2

WATERSIDE TROUBLE

A SERIOUS POSITION. OWNERS’ OBJECT. FREE LABOUR. (Australian Press Association.) MELBOURNE, Sept. 13. The shipowners have decided to apply immediately to the Arbitration Court to declare that a state of strike exists under the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The effect of such declaration would mean that the owners would be in a position to employ any person to carry on the shipping industry. As soon ns tlio- declaration is made the owners will immediately apply for free labour to handle the, cargo and the ships.

MEN FIRM AT ALL PORTS. IN REJECTING NEW AWARD. SYDNEY, Sept. 13. The watersiders here, when offered work at the morning pick-up, were told individually they would be engaged only under the new Award. Tlio men accepted at all the steamers, including the Ulimaroa, which sails to-morrow.

At the afternoon pick-up, however, the men refused to work.

Crows of many vessels are being paid off to-morrow, and the list of idle ships is steadily growing. Another statement issued by the Oversea Shipping Representatives’ Association states: The waterside workers are being deliberately kept in ignorance of tlio advantages gained by the new Award. If they understood the true facts the strike would collapse like a pack of cards. ADELAIDE, Sept. 13. The only work on the waterfront today was the unloading of the motor ship Minnipa. by clerks from the Ade-. Jaide Steamship Coy’s office. The watersiders refused to accept work on any ship. .There are now twenty vessels tied up in port at Adelaide. Free labour was engaged for several other vess-els, 'but work did not «ommenee immediately. BRISBANE,’ Sept. 13.

Work is again at a complete standstill on the waterfront, and Brisbane is faced with a potato famine although several thousand Bags of imported potatoes are on idle ships. HOBART, Sept. 13.

The watersiders again refused to work under the new Award, But representatives of the consignees, by arrangement with the Huddart Parker Coy, are unloading perishable goods from the , steamer Kowliai. NEWCASTLE, Sept. 13.

The waterside workers refused to accept work under the new Award, and the port is Idled. i MELBOURNE, Sept. 13.

The watersiders refused to answer the morning pick-up and several additional ships were tied up, making the number of idle vessels fourteen. The Tasmanian cargo service, is now being maintained by two vessels. It is estimated that in Melbourne alone there are already twenty tliousan men idled. Mr Hogan, Victorian" Premier, conferred with some of. the parties to the dispute. He states he is hopeful for a settlement. Shipping circles place little faith in his efforts. Unless the strike is settled by next week, free labour will (be engaged at all ports. 1 . CANBERRA, Sept. 13.

In the House of Representatives, Air Bruce declined to make any further statement regarding the waterside dispute, but said the Government’s object was to maintain shipping services and necessary supplies. SYDNEY, September 14.

The shipowners in a further statement declares the new award really gives higher wages, better hours, and easier working conditions to waterside workers. The fact is, they do not like the idea of the new award making away with the cherished system bj which every branch, at every port had enforced its own conditions, through some new' domestice rule designed to override or supersede some award condition obnoxious to them. ADELAIDE, September 14.

It is reported volunteer labour is handling perishable cargo and so far there is no interference by the strikers.

BRITISH VIEW.. LONDON, Sept. 13. The Daily Telegraph says: "It is not three months since the collapse of the propostorous struggle over the sea cooks, yet the Australian shipping industry is again plunged into serious trouble. The Waterside Workers .Federation attitude is that it will rjfoey or disobey the law, as it thinks fit. This time, however, the shipowners seem to be taking firm action from the start. They are refusing point blank the Federation’s requests for a conference.”