SYDNEY WHARF STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 107, 26 October 1911, Page 5

SYDNEY WHARF STRIKE.

REMEDY,INT! MATTERS. THE GOVERNMENT WILLING. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Sydney, October 23. Replying to a request that the Government should step in and end the strike, Mr. McGowen said the Government was ready and willing to do anything possible to remedy matters. The effects of the strike are beginning to be felt. Already the prices of the chief lines of fodder and produce are increasing. The coastal companies manage to handle some produce, but much below the usual volume. Clerks, who are assisting to handle the cargo, asked the Wharf Laborers' Union to decide their position. Developments are possible. The steamers Willa and Kooyong are hung r up, Newcastle wharf laborers refusing to handle the cargoes. The Premier and Minister for Labor conferred with representatives of the men. and subsequently stated that they had agreed that no information of what transpired should be divulged. They expressed themselves hopeful of a settlement. In Melbourne the decision of Shipowners not to accept Sydney cargo con- j sequent on the stoppage of consignments is affecting a large number o' wharf laborers.

MASS MEETING OF STRIKERS. AX OBDURATE FEELING. Received 25, 0.30 p.m. Sydney, October 25. Over three thorn, md' attended the wharf laborers' mass meeting. A telegram was read from Mr. Hughes. Justice Higgins and others, recommending the resumption of work, pending negotiations. A motion to the effect that the advice be followed was defeated by a large majority. A proposal for a ballot of all members, to decide the question, was negatived by an overwhelming majority. A final resolution to the effect that 110 members work less than at deep sea rates was parried. Several towns on the north coast, dependent on the steamers' running, are sh»rt of everything not locally produced. ■CONFERENCE AC ATX ADJOURNS. Received 25. n.HII p.m. Melbourne, October 25. The conference has further adjourned till to-morrow.

APPEALS TO Till-: STRIKERS. OF NO AVAIL. Received 26, 12.45 a.m. Sydney. October 25. Among the requests that the men resume work is one from the president of the Council of the Waterside Workers' Federation, stating t,hnt possibly the men were unaware that an agreement had been signed, ami stating that, such was the case. He called upon the men to honorably carry out the terms of the agreement, and added that, the agreement entered into on January embodied even more than was then asked by the Sydney men. He explained the shipowners threatened to prosecute unless the strike terminated. In such an event every member of the union in Australia would be called upon to pay his share of the heavy penalty provided.

Mr. Harrison, secretary of the Sydney I iiion, telegraphed from Melbourne that 110 departure can be made from the wages mentioned ip the agreement.