LITTLE CHANGE IN POSITION OF AFFAIRS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9048, 14 March 1908, Page 5

LITTLE CHANGE IN POSITION OF AFFAIRS.

Received March 13, 11.58 p.m. SYDNEY, March 13. The position with regard to the strike has undergone little change. The evidence of a serious deadlock is more pronounced than yesterday. The principal wharves are to a large extent deserted, practically all trades excepting the fruit industry feeling the pinch. The three coastal companies, Who arc employing nonunionists, still remain unaffected.

Tbe inter-state lines are employing the crews of their vessels, delivery clerks and other permanent hands to unship perishable consignments. The Unionists take objection to this procedure. Little attempt has so far been made to shift any ordinary cargo. Huddart Parker and Co.'s Westralia had 9,000 boxes tf fruit requiring immediate handling. Pickets induced a 'few permanent hands to leave the work. The crew are now discharging the fruit, the corsignees handling it themselves after it reaches the wharf. In connection with the coaling of the Suevic, the coal lumpers have knocked off work and hnvc refused to return until a number of non-unionists have been discharged. Received March 14, 12.56 a.,m. SYDNEY, March 13. The Miowera's departure has been postponed from Saturday till 4 o'clock on Monday afternoon. The steamer Yongala from Brisbane resumed her voyage to Melbourne without discharging the Sydney portion of her cargo. The Japanese mail steamer Kumanomaru is in a similar predicament, and leaves with her cargo undischarged for Melbourne to-morrow. The arrivals to-day added several vessels to the long list of those already tied up. Received March 14, 1.15 a.m. SYDNEY, March 13. The Strike Committee were in conference throughout the day. The Steamship Owners' Association also held a meeting. Both sides are,taking elaborate precautions to prevent any leakage of information. The secretary of the Wharf Labourers' Union foreshadowed important developments to-day, but up till a late hour these have not eventuated.

Certain negotiations are known to be in progress, which report to-night states promise to open a way for a settlement.

Failing an early settlement of the trouble the outlook is decidedly serious.