LARGS BAY DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 235, 30 June 1922, Page 5

LARGS BAY DISPUTE

ACTION BY MARITIME ORGANISATIONS NON-UNION LABOUR MAY BE INTRODUCED BY TEUEGBAI’H—PBEBB ASSOCIATIOH. -coPYßioirr. Melbourne, Juno 29. The Federal Primo Minister, Mr. Hughes, threatens to lay up all tha Commonwealth vessels unless the union officials agree to the management retaining control. He states that the unions must choose between industrial crucifixion in order to servo Mr.' Walsh’s purpose' and pander to his insatiable vanity and ambition, or sweep him and his like neck and crop out of tho union.—Press Assn. (Rec. June 29, 10.10 p.m.) Sydney, June 29. An important development has- occurred in connection with the Largs Bay dispute. Officials of what are generally considered to be the saner maritime organisations are taking action to unite, and declare there will be no hitch if the Commonwealth Line attempts to introduce non-union labour •into the Largs Bay in the deck and stokehold departments. The move is kept a. close secret, and when approached union officials declined to discusn the matter, but agreed that something must be done immediately. The general opinion is that Mr. Hughes’s threat to lay up the ship is responsible for the move now afoot, as it is considered that the idling of the men employed by the Commonwealth Line would be one of the worst blows that could be dealt to unionism. If the move reaches finality, a situation unique in Australian, unionism will have been brought about. After a meeting of the marine stewards, at which the Largs Bay dispute was not considered, the secretary stated that the stewards would not work with non-unionists. Mr. Walsh has arrived. He denies that his visit is of any significance so far an the Largs Bay, is concerned, pr that there is ‘any conflict of opinion between the Sydney branch and tho executive of tne Seamen’s Union. — Press Assm _____