SHIPPING STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21646, 3 December 1935, Page 11

SHIPPING STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA

IMPORTANT MEETING TODAY MEN MAY RESUME WORI PENDING APPEAL SIX MORE VESSELS .LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED (UJRTED PBBSS ASSOCIATION —COEI»IOHT.) (Received December 2, 11.41 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 2. It is expected that six additiona vessels will be drawn into the ship ping dispute to-night or early to morrow. The crews of the Era, 1 Ko warra, Period, Kini, Manunda, anc Canberra are likely to give notice A large meeting of seamen wil be held to-morrow to decide the future policy of their organisation It is understood that efforts will b< made to induce the men to returi to work pending an application t< the court for variation of the clauses of the new award to which objectior is expressed. Eight vessels are already defl nitely affected by the shipping strike, and the total number of mer involved is 774.

A message from Adelaide says that the seamen there are unwilling to be drawn into the dispute unless they are forced to participate by the concerted action of inter-state seamen.

The secretary of the Queensland branch of the Seamen's Union stated that there was no likelihood of a holdup at Brisbane, at least for a few days.

NO INTERVENTION YET BY GOVERNMENT (Received December 3, 1.55 a.m.) CANBERRA, December 2. Replying to a question in the House of Representatives, the actingPrime Minister (Dr. Earle Page) said that the Government had no intention immediately, of intervening, in the shipping dispute, but was carefully watching the position. It would not hesitate to use its power if the trouble showed signs of continuing.

POSITION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

OPENING OP WHEAT SEASON (Received December 2, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, December 2. The city editor of "The Times/' commenting on the Western Australian labour troubles, expresses the opinion that the outlook for the state is particularly embarrassing in view of the early opening of the new wheat "season. Perhaps the most hopeful feature, he says, is that the continuance of the dispute would so gravel" affect the industry that the Government may be expected to make every possible effort to secure a resumption of work. Shipowners cannot adequately counter the prospect of a continuance of the trouble by additional rates, owing to the possibility of indefinite delay. Accordingly, they are. bound in self-defence to avoid arranging for ships to call there until they are assured that they will not be unreasonably detained.

FEAR OF CONFLICT WITH STRIKERS NIAGARA'S CREW TAkW OFF IN LAUNCH (Received December 3, 12.40 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 2. Before the arrival of the Niagara to-day the volunteer members of the crew were taken off in a launch down the harbour so that they would not be brought into contact with the members of the Seamen's Union at present on strike.