STRIKE OUTLOOK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 246, 17 October 1928, Page 7

STRIKE OUTLOOK.

SETTLEMENT TALK.

Melbourne Expected To Declare

Peace.

SEAMEN STAND ALOOF.

MELBOURNE, October 16.

It is regarded as possible that the strike, so far as Melbourne is concerned, may be declared off tomorroAV. A mass meeting of the Port Phillip Association and the Melbourne Wharf Labourers' Union has been called at which, it is said, the men will be recommended by their own officials to register under the Transport Workers Act. A secret ballot of waterside workers i? also to be taken. The Victorian seamen have declined to become embroiled in the strike. They have supplied men for the Union Company's steamer Waiotapu and the Tasmanian steamer Nairanx.. Union officials are hopeful that preference of employment will ultimately be given to the original members of the. Waterside Workers' Federation, but the shipowners have made it plain that the volunteers who have taken stevedores' places will continue to act in that capacity.

Another procession of about 800 strikers and unemployed marched through the city to-day to the Yarra, headed by a Russian banner, bearing the words: "No surrender."

SCARED BY STRIKES.

Celanese Would Not Set Up In

Australia.

NOT REMOTEST PROSPECT.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON, October 10.

In connection with the prophecy of the late Mr. H. E. Pratten, Minister of Trade and Customs Of the Commonwealth of Australia, tha.t a Celanese factory would be established in Australia, the Australian Press Association understands that no further consideratioh has % been given the project to which Celanese say that they never seriously committed themselves.

Inquiries suggest that in view of incessant labour troubles in Australia the prospect of consummation is very remote.

AID TO STRIKERS.

Soviet Denies Sending £9009

To Australia.

NO TRUTH IN N.Z. RUMOUR.

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 12.30 p.m.)

LONDON, October 16.

In consequence of a report from Riga that the Soviet Profintern, or the Red Trade Union International, has sent £9000 to the Australian strikers the Australian Press Association had special inquiries made at Moscow to ascertain the extent of further assistance.

The Profintern, however, denies sending or contemplating sending any money. It also denies discussing plans for fomenting . trouble amongst New Zealand sailors-and miners whose unions, if they desire to affiliate with the Profintern, must apply in the usual way.