THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 72, 14 March 1908, Page 5

THE SYDNEY STRIKE.

BOTH SIDES DETERMINED. SHIPPING GREATLY HAMPERED. Sydney, March 13. There are many rumors of strike de-1 velopraents, but both sides are extremely reticent. , e , s tettUy, at a meeting of a Board of Conciliation consisting of representatives of the interstate Steamship Owners' Association and the Waterside Workers' Unions, it U understood, the men asked the owners to bring pressure | to bear on a certain company by refus-1 ing its cargoes. This the owners declined to do.

The coastal companies state that they are determined to continue working cas-

nal and other hand*. The men state that there is no fear of free labor being engaged to Uke the place of strikers. They assert that if non-unionists or seamen are emploved to work cargo the Carters' and Seamen's Unions will join the strike. At present there are oS interstate and oversea vessels in port. Amongst those affected is the Star of New Zealand. She may be able to finish her loading to-day or to-morrow. The Newcastle wharf lumpers have struck in sympathy with the Sydney men.

This strike is causing delay to many irenels. It is reported that an effort Is being made to induce the coal lumper* to join. So far the strike has had little effect in other States. Developments are anxiously awaited. The Shipowners' Federation of Australia is to meet at Melbourne to-day to consider the matter. The feeling in j ■stopping circles here is that there u a possibility of work being resumed to- j morrow. 1

NO CHANGE Df THE POSITION,

SERIOUS DEADLOCK FEARED. PRINCIPAL WHARVES DESERTED. Received 13th, 1158 p.m. Sydney, March 13. The strike position his unllergone little change. Evidence of a serious deadlock is more pronounced than yesterday. The principal wharves are to a large extent deserted. Practically all trades, with the exception of the fruit industry, •iv feelkg the pinchThe three coastal coqjpmies still remain unaffected. A tacit understanding exists among the casual and free laborera to abide by the Arbitration Court award under the terms which the coastal companies ar« working. As the men clear one vessel they go to the wharves of the other coastal companies and assist them.

The inter-State lines are employing the crews of the vessels, delivery clerks, and other permanent hands to unship perishable consignments. The unionist* take no objection to this procedure. Little attempt so far hag been made to shift any of the ordinary cargo. A few permanent hands were induced to leave their work and assist in the work of unloading a cargo of fruit from the j Westralia. The crew are now discharging the fruit, consignees handling It themselves after it reaches the wharf. There are indications of possible developments in connection with the coaling of the Suevic. The coal lumpers knocked off work, and refused to return until a number of non-unionists were discharged.

SHIPPING DISORGANISED.

Received 14th, 12.56 a.m. Sydney, March 13.

• 3Jie Hiowera's departure ha 4 been ■fWtpMd from Saturday tOMHondty afternoon.

The steamer Yongala, from Brisbane, tesumed her voyage to Ueliiourne without discharging the Sydney portion of her cargo. The Japanese mail steamer Kurnanomaru is in a similar predicament, and leaves undischarged for Melbourne tomorrow. i

The arrivals today added several ves«els to the long list that is tied up.

| • BOTH -SIDES P.ETTCEXT.

NEGOTIATIONS IN PROGRESS.

Received 14tH, 1.5 a.m. Sydney, Mjjnh is. '• The 6trfke committee was in confer-! cnce throughout the day.. The SteamHhip Owner*' Association also lielil a meeting. Both sides are taking elaborate precautions to prevent any leakage of information.

The secretary of the Wharf Laborers' Union foreshadowed important developments to-day, but up to a late hour they bad not eventuated. Certain negotiations »re known to be in progress which, * report to-night states, promise to open the way to a settlement. Failing an euly settlement the outlook is decidedly serious.

: STATEMENT BY THE UNION J COMPANY.

Per Preu Awodatton. Dtmedin, Friday.

• Hie wharf laborers' trouble at Sydney in likely to affect the Union Compony indirectly.