AUSTRALIAN STRIKES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 72, 24 March 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN STRIKES.

TEEMS OF SETTiEMEirr AT SYSHEY.' " SYDNEY, March 23. \ The conference between the coastal steamship companies and the Wharf Labourers' Union- was resumed this afternoon. The representatives of: the shipping companies presented the final terms under which they -were prepared to settle' the strike. These-were subsequently con-' sidered and refused by the representatives of the men, and. the conference aujourned "till to-iaoiiow. Mr. Hughes states that the position is critical, but it is not hopeless. The Employers' Federation, at a. meeting today, discussed the course of action thai merchants and traders should take in connection with the strike, and resolved that the time had arrived when they should assert the right of employers to utilise non-union labourers, especially at a time when unionists refuse to -work at the Arbitration award wages. It was further decided to give full support to the coastal companies in -maintaining this principle, and also to express admiration at the courage, patience, and consideration of public interests exhibited by the representatives of the coastal companies in connection with the present dispute.

300 PAII'JTERS IDLE.

SYDNEY, Marc'-i 23

I ilost of the painters employed, by many large city firms have struck for an increase of a psnny an honr. Three hundred men are idle, and a number of good contracts are involved.