TIMBER WORKERS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1929, Page 6

TIMBER WORKERS

GENERAL STOPPAGE IN. AUSTRALIA. (Australian Press Association). (United Service). SYDNEY, Feb. 3. The timber workers’ strike is in full blast in all States. Tbe men should have presented themselves for four and a half hours work yesterday morning but none did so, and therefore all were automatically dismissed. The Unionists held what they termed a social gathering at the Sydney Trades Hall yesterday. Many speeches were delivered behind closed doors. Judge Lukin, of the Arbitration Court, in .Melbourne, made an order yesterday to the effect that a strike existed. The order, however, excludes the hush mills. Employers generally are standing solidly together. Timber mcrclihiits at Adelaide are calling application for men who desire to work forty-eight hours, and are meeting with an excellent response. WORK STOPPED. SYDNEY, Feh. 4, The timber trade is idle to-day. The Unionists presented themselves at the various mills and works this morning, but they were not engaged, following on their refusal to work a lmlf-day on Saturday to make up a forty-eight hours week. Three thousand hands are affected, and the Union officials have been considering . their attitude towards possible, volunteer workers. One officer is reported as saying: “The only way to gel at the volunteer is through fear. You men will have' to put fear into them.’ Ho urged that no mercy should he shown to, volunteers. The allied unions are conferring to-day. The Timber Workers’ Sydney Onmmlilfoo are consulting the Australian Council of Trade Union’s Executive in Melbourne. The Unions propose to finance .-i long struggle by keeping as many workers as possible in employment so that levies can be made on , a fullpay capacity. A mass meeting of the workers today was attended by tl7o.se who were not engaged this morning in discussing the plans for oieketing. MELBOURNE, Feh. .4. Practically all of the hush sawmills are shut down this week owing to the timber strike. ADELAIDE, Feb. 4. A large number of volunteers have been enrolled to ie’’!a-e the strikers in the timber yard-. The carters and drivers are still working.