WATERFRONT HOLD-UP IN SYDNEY DELAYED

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5322, 7 February 1947, Page 5

WATERFRONT HOLD-UP IN SYDNEY DELAYED

SYDNEY, Feb. 6. The total hold-up on the Sydney waterfront has been delayed, but not averted, by a decision of the watersiders to accept day work to- * day. The unions still ban night work on cargoes, which means that there will be grave delays in port, as day shifts alone are considered inadequate. The restriction oi)' working hours has already seriously affected the moving of essential commodities, such as wcol and food for Britain, primary produce, wheat, coal, sugar and building materials. Of 6241 registered watersiders 1270 were suspended by the Port Committee yesterday for refusing to work at night. The suspension, however, last only two days, after which the men may offer for day work. ' It is expectsd that from to-day the watersiders will accept day work but some will be suspended for refusing night work. The men affected will return to the pool in two days. The union threatens to take further action if the suspensions are i earried out. Leading industrialists i3elieve that 85 per cent of Australian industries will be hrought to a standstill if all shipping and coal mines become idle. In New South Wales severe rationing of train and train timetables, gas and electric power will be necessary and more than 750,000 workers will be unemployed. Australian Mmers Threaten Nation-Wide Strike SYDNEY, Feb. 6. The Central Council of the Miners' Federation will inform the State Ministers to-day that the Council will agree to a recommendation for a nation-wide coal strike unless the Federal and State Governments guarantee the Federation's demands. The Federation asks that 64 amendments J;o the Coalmines Regulations Act be *brought down in the first session of the State Parliament this year and that compensation and industrial demands, covering a 35hcur week and wages claims, must be met.