TUSSLE FOR LICENCES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 489, 19 October 1928, Page 9

TUSSLE FOR LICENCES

MELBOURNE STRIKERS SEAMEN BACK TO WORK (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) MELBOURNE, Thursday. The men belonging to the Melbourne branch of the Waterside Workers’ Federation to-day struggled in a queue to obtain licences. These were issued at a terrific rate at the Customs House. No unionists, however, were employed to-day to work general cargo. The shipping company's representatives made it clear that volunteers are to have preference. The owners announced also that they intend to retain all the volunteers who wish to remain at work, whether they be seamen or wharf labourers. Preparations are now being made to recommission the idle passenger ships. Union wharf labourers will be freely picked up next week. The Victorian branch of the Seamen’s Union to-day decided in favour of a resumption of work. They first severely criticised the waterside workers for giving up the fight “before there was any need.” A red flag bearing the words: “No Surrender” is flying from the building of the Port Phillip Stevedores’ Association at Port Melbourne. Special police were to-day posted on all the wharves, but there was no disturbance. At Brisbane to-day there was also an unexpected rush by members of the Waterside Workers’ Union for licences. Officially the strike is still on there, but actually the dispute has ended.