WATERSIDE STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1928, Page 6

WATERSIDE STRIKE

PREFERENCE SUSPENDED. BY ARBITRATION COURT. (Australian ; Press Association). (United Service). AIELBOURNE, September 24. On the application of the Shipowners’ Association, Judge Dethridge, in the Federal Arbitration Court, suspended flic prci’ernce clause of the Waterside Workers’ award in the ports where the unionists had refused work. He, however, rdf used to allow a suspension in the ports "where the members of the Union are still working. Ihe suspension applies* to Eleemantle, Adelaide, Port’ Kembla, Newcastle, Brisbane, -Mackay, Bowen and Port Phillip. Judge Dethridge deferred his decision in the case of the ports where the posiEnVi of tVq members is in doubt. His iio no ur refused to' vary the award, stating that Judge Becby could later consider ally application" lor a varia-, tion. Judge Dethridge added that, without putting an end to the award, he would cancel the preference clause, but where the members of the Federation are working, however, lie did not feel inclined to extend such suspension. Five overseas vessels are now being worker by means, of volunteer labour. j..ie volunteers are brought to the docks in motor-cars, under police protection,' but no trouble has been experienced. The infer-State, vessels are being worked as usual by the unionists.

NO HITCH AT SYDNEY. WORKERS WILL FIGHT ADVERSE ' ' ■ ’ BILL. SYDNEY, September 24. The. watersiders worked to-day without any hitcli,' large numbers attending the afternoon pick-up. At a meeting, the New South AVales Transport Group of Unions decided strenuously to oppose the Transport •‘Workers’ Bill, and plans are being made to call a Federal conference of .unions, to discuss ways and means oi opposing it.

The loading at Newcastle of the steamer Poolta, which is eu route fqi New Zealand, via the north coast ports, was concluded by volunteer labour. Tlie Unionists at Newcastle are still working one steamer. ULIMARQA DELAYED. SYDNEY, Sep. 25. The Ulimaroa has been delayed by westerly gales, and is not expected to arrive till, "six this evening. . AN ! M PORT ANT DEVELO PM E NT. (Received this day at 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, Sep, 25. . The most impoilaiit leveloppient of tlie strike'-position here-is the decision of tlie seamen to supply steam for free labourers- while a -hundred carters are handling, goods Unloaded •: by 'free labour. ' x c : v STRIKERS ORDERED TO RESUME , (Received this day at 9.25,. a.m.) MELBOURNE, September 20.

The - conference of- representatives of the Maritime Unions, under the auspices of the Australian Council of Trades Unions, has ordered all strikers on the waterfront to resume work under t the Booby award. A majoiity of the representatives objected to the widening of the breach by dragging in qutside unions, simply because ,of the introduction of volunteer labour by employers. The Carriers’: and Drivers’ representatives declared they were not prer pared to have their members embroiled in a general strike. All present expressed bitter resentment at tlie I ederal Government’s attempt to conscript labour by means of the recently-enacted legislation placed in the bands of the Commonwealth Arbitration Court. The'watersidedispute has now been left in the hands of the Australasian Council if or Trade Unions. The shipowners have withdrawn thenpromise of a conference to the Matqrsiders Federation, because of the Federation's inability to control its own members.