SEAMEN’S STRIKE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21656, 14 December 1935, Page 17

SEAMEN’S STRIKE

NO OVERTURES FOR SETTLEMENT UNION’S APPLICATION FOR INJUNCTION RAILWAY WORKERS TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS (UKITKD PUSS i.SBOCIiTIOM— COPTmiOBT.) (Received December f 3, 10.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 13. After a conference with officials of the Sydney Labour Council and a delegation from the seamen, the two visiting representatives of the Australian Council of Trades Unions (Messrs C. Crofts and A. Monk) recommended all the affiliated unions to provide financial assistance for the striking seamen. Further meetings of the executives of those unions likely to be affected by the strike will be held at Sydney and Melbourne on Monday. In the meantime, no overtures for the settlement of the strike are likely to' be made. Pickets are patrolling the wharves and shipping offices. . The Seamen’s Union applied in the High Court to-day for an injunction against the Commonwealth Government, claiming that the Transport Workers’ Act and the regulations under it were ultra vires of the constitution. Mr Justice Evatt, before whom the matter was mentioned, fixed the hearing of the application for Monday, before the full High Court. Although the shipowners report that a slackening number of qualified men are offering for employment, a sufficient number of men have been engaged for at least 12 freighters at three Australian ports. The Wairuna, which was reported to be the first overseas ship likely to be involved, is due to sail tomorrow for San Francisco. Delegates of the Australian Railways Union are assembling on Monday to discuss the strike and to formulate a policy in the event of its extension to Melbourne.