WHARVES DISPUTE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 156, 26 March 1908, Page 7

WHARVES DISPUTE.

CONFERENCE FAILS. EMPLOYERS REJECT, MEN'S TERMS. POSITION CRITICAL.. | DY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT (Rec. March 26, 1.10 a.m.) Sydney, March 25. ■ The trouble between the Coastal Shipping Companies and the AYharf Labourers' Union is -to continue. The conference broke up to-night after a further lengthy sitting. Mr. Hughes announced that the companies had rojectcd tho terms submitted by tho Unionists, and that the struggle would continuo. . . On behalf of the companies tho statement is made that the only point they aro fightjng for is freedom of contract. This is riot only in their own intorests, but in tho interests of omployers of labour throughout Australia. Many rumours are current as to probablo development and extension of tho strike. Tho position is considered critical. Both sides aro, reticent. • During the day the Employers' Federation at a meoting re-affirmed their intention of preserving the right of/private contract with regard to the employment of free labour. STEAMERS LAID UP. . Sydney, March 25. Thirty-five steamers are laid up as a result of the strike. The officers and engineers of tho North Coast Steam Navigation Company of Sydney were out on strike when tho Mnheno left there last Saturday. One reason of the strike is that the shipping company are employing non-union crews, and until unionists aro installed the officers and engineers refuse to go on duty. There was no settlement 'pending when the Maheno left Sydney. v