WHARF LABOURERS’ STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9095, 14 March 1908, Page 5

WHARF LABOURERS’ STRIKE.

Press Association —Copyright. Received March 13, 10.58 p.m. Sydney, March 13. The strike committee was in conference throughout the day. The Steamship Owners’ Association also held a meeting, both sides taking elaborate precautions to prevent any leakage of information.

The. Secretary of the Wharf Labourers’ Union had , foreshadowed important developments to-day, but up to a late hour these had not eventuated.

Certain negotiations are known to be in progress which, report to-night states, promise to open a way towards a settlement. Failing an early settlement the outlook is decidedly serious, i The Miowera’s departure has been postponed from Saturday till 4 on Monday afternoon. The steamer Yongala, from Brisbane, has resumed her ovyage to Melbourne without discharging the Sydney portion of her cargo. The Japanese mail steamer Kumanoaru is in a similar predicament, and leaves undischarged for Melbourne to-morrow.

The arrivals to-day added several vessels to the long list of those tied UPA SETTLEMENT PROBABLE. TRADE PARALYSED. Received March 14, 10.45 a.m. Sydney, March, 14.*rj The Premier has been unofficially approached with a view to his mediaton in the strike, but he is unable an answer until the matter has been brought formally before him.

Mr Hughes, President of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, informed an interviewer that certain influences were at work which may result in ending the trouble. He did not cate to say more than that at present, but . was hopeful *that the thing would soon be all right. Mr Hughes further stated that cables had been sent to the International Transport Workers Federation Headquarters, at Hamburg, with a view to their giving, assistance in dealing with vessels arriving at European ports if necessary.

A meeting of the. Wholesale Produce ' .Merchants’ Association, resolved to appeal to the Premier to assist in securing the- landing of perishable produce, large quantities of which would otherwise be mined. One rumour afloat is that if the men do not quickly return to work the Shipping Companies intend to tie up the boats, and pay off all|hands. The Stevedores’ Association has resolved to issue summonses against the men for breach of contract. In most cases the crews of vessels are assisting to handle cargo, but on some steamers of the German-Aus-traliau Line they declined totlo so. The position at Newcastle is unaltered. Very little is doing on the wharves. In Brisbane fruit and other cargo for Sydney are being refused.