CEMENT LOADING TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1116, 2 May 1911, Page 5

CEMENT LOADING TROUBLE.

— o THE SYDNEY CONFLICT, v , By Telecraph-I'ress Association-CopyrlgHt Sydnoy, May 1. Important developments are, expected to-day in connection with tho cement loading trouble. The employers arc determined that- if unionists refuse to do the loading they will have the work done by permanent hands or free labour. Sydney, May 1. The wharf labourers will meet on Wednesday to consider the question of rescinding the recent decision oil the question of the inter-State agreement. (Rec. May 2, 0.50 a.m.) Sydney, May I. The opinion is generally expressed in union and shipping circles that the wharf labourers will consent to handle cement in dust-proof bags, thus enabling the inter-State agreement to be signed. Tho owners are marking time pending Wednesday's meeting. . CEMENT DUST AND HEALTH. Dr. Richard Arthur, M.L.A., of Sydney, has interested himself in the cement didiciiliy that has arisen by tho members ol .the Sydney Wharf Laoourcrs' Union lefusing to handle the bags oi cement, alleging as a reason that (lie dust which hlled tho ship-hold when it was being loaded was injurious to health. Dr. Arthur is of tho 'opinion that if tho dust is injurious to those who are only inhaling it lor a few b.ours per week, then those who are working in it continuously must suiter severely. And ho went to rortlana to investigate. Interviewed by fi,„ #11 y .■ rele 2 ra P'i" reporter, he made ®\t 1 r ,', n ° _ sta t e, Hent on his return iNaturally I first went to the resident mcdical man for information as to tho morbidity and mortality duo directly or indirectly to tho inhalation of ccuient dust. If there was anyone in Australia i °'i tf m • experience and knowledge, should be in a position to give an opinion of value, it was Dr. Wilson. Ho stated without hesitation that, after five years i fit 1 ortland, he had rot been able to tiace a single case of ill-health or death to cement dust. ... I then came to the works, and saw the mill where the raw materials were ground, the mill, where the clinkers made by exposing tho raw materials to a temperature of 3200 □eg. iahr. in rotary furnaces was reduced to powder, and the so-called silo where the finished product is loaded into bags. I here wasn't the slightest doubt about tlio dust. But no one reenied to mind it, or to be in tho least tho worst for it. I spoke to about a dozen men, most of whom looked the picture of health, and all of i emphatic in stating that the dust dm ilium no liann, and were equallv emphatic as to the state of their health. 1 questioned them as to whether tiiey or any of their mates they knew of suffered trom soro throats, chronic coughs, bronchitis, or indigestion, but the unanimous opinion was they wero singularly free from all such things. Some said that the oust got into their noses and mode them sneeze occasionally, t u t no one would admit to any unusual shortness of breath, although 1 pressed them upon this point. * t * ,« ivish to draw any conelusions of my own from what I saw or heard at I ortland, -but simply to state the facts. I am still of opinion that deleterious consequences may ensue in some cases where an inorganic dust is constantly inhaled, though these effects may be postponed for so long that even after ten yeirs there are few or no signs of them. But of one thing I am perfectly convinced, and it is that tho occasional exposure to cedent dust which the wharf labourers aro called upon to face can hnvo absolutely r.o injurious. effect upon their health. If innnry into the subject is needed at all, it should be in the direction of those who work constantly among cement dust, and not of those'who onlv come in contact with it at intervals c'f time.