LABOUR CRISIS IN VICTORIA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25662, 26 November 1948, Page 7

LABOUR CRISIS IN VICTORIA

PREMIER’S CONDITION FOR SETTLEMENT

“SEAMEN’S BLOCKADE MUST BE LIFTED” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Nov. 35. While trade union leaders are hopeful that the Victorian disturbances will fizzle out, the State Premier (Mr T. T. Holl way) says there can be no final negotiations for a settlement until the seamen’s blockade is lifted. The State Government has assured the Federal Government that all coal now in Melbourne or on the way there will be unloaded. Mr E. V. Elliott, general secretary of the Seamen’s Union, has made a further statement that the blockade will be confined to coal ships. He said that the complete blockade announced yesterday by the Federal president of the union (Mr R. Franklin) was the result of a misunderstood telephone conversation. Mr Elliott alleged that the conversation was being tapped. The watersiders decided this afternoon to cease work on Monday, and march to the city court if the Government prosecutes the 12 union leaders who- have been summonsed. Early morning talks between Victorian State Ministers and leaders of the Trades HaH Council and the Australian Council of Trade Unions suggested the possibility of ending the blockade by the seamen. The seamen, who are not within the scope of the Essential Services Act, against which they are protesting, are the only unionists so far to take direct action against the prosecution of the leaders of the transport unions responsible for the 24 hours’ stoppage on November 17. After the talks. Mr Hollway said he was confident that wiser counsels would prevail, and that a satisfactory solution would result after further conferences. Mr Holl wav has said that if the shipping problem is overcome the proposed amendments to the act may be abandoned. The Government has qpt yet decided whether 15 key signalmen who held up Melbourne trains for an hour yesterday should be prosecuted. Other such stoppages are expected. The tramwaymen sav that they contemplate r.c further action. Three sections of the goods division of the Australian Railways Union have resolved not to cease work in future unless members are allowed to express their opinions fully.