AUSTRALIAN STRIKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9790, 13 October 1917, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN STRIKE

RELIEF FUND AUTHORISED TROUBLE AT MAITLAND COLLIERIES SETTLED. tty Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received October 12, 8.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 12. Tho Government has authorised street collections in aid of tnc Lord Mayor’s fund to relieve distress arising aut of the str.kc. Tho Maitland collieries’ trouble has beta settled. Tho men resume work on MondaySYDNEY SEAMEN TO RESUME WORK.. 3y Tileeraph—Press Association— Copyrighl (Rocoivod October 12, 9.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 12. A mass meeting of seamen reaffirmed tho decision to return to work, and resolved to advise tho Melbourne men to do likewise. NEWS BY IViAiL SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS IN MELBOURNE. ARBITRATION COURT ACTIVITIES. Press Association. DUNEDIN, October 12. Australian files contain the following nows of tho Australian srrike. SYDNEY, September 19. Tho Wood and Coal Labourers’ Union have been deregistered for men refusing to cart coal to the hospital because volunteers were employed. Judge Heydon reserved his decision in the application for deregistration of the Coal-Imn^pcrs , Union and EngineDrivers’ and Eiremcn’s Association, East Coast. MELBOURNE, September 19. Twenty-three vessels were worked yesterday, including 18 overseas. SYDNEY', September 20. The registration of tho Storemen and Packers’ Union was cancelled. MELBOURNE, September 20. Normal railway services are maintained. September 23. The Timber Workers’ Union refused to resume work, forcing between 3000 and 4000 men to remain idle. A number, however have resumed. SYDNEY, September 28.' The Australian meat industry employees passed a motion urging the Federal Government to us£ its best endeavours to settle tho dispute. The men "contended they had been looked out. MELBOURNE, September 24. Brick yards have closed owing to the shortage of coal, hundreds were rendered idle thereby. On the waterfront 1089 volunteers are engaged on 27 vessels. Over 20,000 are- still atfcetcu by the strike, including 8743 ,on strike. Application for the deregistration _of the Waterside Workers’ Federation was refused, Mr Justice Higgins indicating that there were other methods of dealing with the union. SYDNEY, Sept ember 24. The agreement between the CoalLumpers’ Union and tho naval authorities was cancelled. The refusal of the men to coal transports was characterised by Mr Justice Heydon as the foulest disgrace. SYDNEY, September 25. The registration of the Engine-Driv-ers’ Association of Australia has been cancelled. Preference clauses and any State awards are also cancelled. The masters and engineers of the ferry and river steamers in New South Wales have decided to withdraw from the Trades Council and Political Labour Union. A hospital ship has been manned by volunteer firemen and seamen. Work on 27 vessels is carried out by 1175 volunteers. SYDNEY, September 26. A conference between the Coal Employees’ Federation and tho Government failed. The main point of disagreement was the Government’s proposal to give the mine managers power to Use discretion in tho selection of labour. It is estimated that 50,000 men are still idle, including 19,000 miners, 5000 seamen, 4500 wharfies, and 2800 meat industry employees, 2000 coal lumpers, 1600 loco, engine-drivers, 1500 timber workers, and 1500 labourers. Timothy McCristal, president of tile Wharf Labourers’ Union, and Ned Riley wero committed for trial for seditious utterances.

MELBOURNE, September 27. After five weeks’ idleness the carters and drivers agreed to resume work on the employers’ terms.