STRIKERS APPREHENSIVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 214, 29 November 1927, Page 1

STRIKERS APPREHENSIVE

DISPUTE MAY GET BEYOND THEM OWNERS THREATEN TO TIE SHIPS UP By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Received 9.27 a.m. MELBOURNE. To-day. AT a meeting of the Watersiders’ Management Committee, fears were expressed that if the shipowners carried out their threat to tie up the ships in the event of their demands being disregarded by the watersiders, despite the committee’s resolution rejecting the terms proposed, the dispute would reach a stage which was not contemplated by the union when the original overtime strike was given effect to.

the committee announced that although no reply had yet been received from the shipowners, the union was still prepared to negotiate, with the object of endeavouring to arrive at a settlement in order to obviate the taking of the drastic measures contemplated by the shipowners. The Port Philip stevedores, who handle all overseas cargo in the port of Melbourne, have decided to support the watersiders’ strike. Representatives of ' the shipowners stated that they will refuse to confer with the delegates of the watersiders, if the men decide to return to normal conditions. On Wednesday, the owners will hold to the letter their ultimatum. If the men decide to resume on Wednesday, the owners ! will not open any negotiations until

the matter comes before the Arbitration Court. The terms of awards and agreements w-ill have to be honoured until the matter is before the court.— A. and N.Z.