SYDNEY WHARF STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 28 October 1911, Page 5

SYDNEY WHARF STRIKE.

THE EFFECTS WIDENING. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, October 27. The effects of the strike are gradually widening and becoming more serious. The inter-State coastal companies' wharves present a deserted appearance. The gates of the premises of several companies are wholly or partially closed. The strike is being conducted quietly on both sides. The companies state their intention to keep the existing staffs of wharf hands employed, but to engage no outside labor. The Paloona has finished loading, and sailed for Newcastle. She was to have' departed for Hobart on Wednesday, but expects not to get away before Monday. The Moeraki, after visiting Newcastle for coal, returned to Sydney with her whole cargo still aboard, excepting the horses and a quantity of perishables, which were unloaded on her arrival. The balance of her cargo is being unloaded by her own crew, assisted by the officers and crew of the Wakatipu. It is doubtful if she will be able to leave for New Zealand to morrow. No cargo is being taken in. Sussex street merchants and salesmen are unloading the Kakapo's cargo of Tasmanian potatoes, and other companies are doing their best with the available hands to handle perishable cargoes. The probability is that a number of vessels engaged in the bullion trade will be laid up unless there is a speedy settlement. Mr. Hughes and the president and secretary of the Wharf Laborers' Union arrive from Melbourne to-day. A SERIOUS DEVELOPMENT. OTHER MEN LEAVE WORK. Received 27, 0.30 p.m. Sydney, October 27. A serious development of the strike occurred to-day, when a number of constant hands employed on the wharves declined to continue, although they are not members of the Wharf Laborers' Union. Men working the ore cargoes also "knocked off."

The union officials and representatives of the companies state they have no idea why this Btep was taken. The men themselves say they have no particular reason for this action, but sympathy for the strikers played a big part.

A remarkable feature of the strike is the apathy with which the strikers regard the clerks and others who are doing their work, there being no sign of a demonstration,

AN OFFER DECLINED. Received 28, 1.10 a.m. Sydney, October 27. Mr. Cafmieliael made an offer to the Inter-State Coastal Steamship owners to accept the intermediate position as stevedore, paymg the rates demanJ-d on the basis of a contract drawn up on the principle of the deep sea contract, Refunding to tlie ship-owners any profits that might accrue from tlie experiment, which would continue until the parties went to arbitration. Roth the interState and coastal shipowners declined the offer, which is still open. XO SUPPORT FROM HOBART. Hobart, October 27. The wharf laborers at a meeting decided that the Sydney men had broken their agreement, and therefore they would not support them. AX AUCKLAXD ENQUIRY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland. Yesterday. An equirr made by the Waterside Workers' Union, whether the steamer ietoria had itnv cargo loaded by nonunionists at Sydney elicited the' reply b' - cable that the only cargo is two tons of periodicals, which the steamer's crew was able to handle.