Farmers Man Ships

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 9

Farmers Man Ships

OWNERS NOT ALARMED BY THREATS To-Day’s Conference in Melbourne ( United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Received 11.5 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. SYDNEY shipowners are not perturbed by the threats of Victorian and Queensland seamen to withdraw crews from inter-State vessels.

They realised when they determined to fight for the enforcement of the Beeby Award that other unions might be involved, and made plans accordingly, so that in the event of the seamen leaving the ships, it is certain that the vessels will be manned immediately by volunteers. In Queensland, farmers are manning the steamers Hunee and Fiona. A message from Melbourne states that the Council of Trade Unions executive meets again to-day in an endeavour to define a policy to deal with the strike. The feeling prevails that unless a

policy acceptable to the whole of the watersiders can be formulated it is impossible to expect other unions to become involved. The outcome of the conference is awaited eagerly in Sydney where work is proceeding smoothly. Last week’s bomb outrages are the subject of close investigation by the police. The bombers concerned in Friday night’s outrage used a false number on their car. The shipowners on Saturday refused to meet representatives 'of the Council of Trade Unions. " They said the Transport Workers’ Act is not open for discussion.