WATERSIDE DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 300, 19 September 1928, Page 11

WATERSIDE DISPUTE

EFFORTS TO SECURE PEACE MAY BE DEFEATED BY REFUSAL TO WORK NO CONFERENCE BEFORE FULL RESUMPTION The watersiders at some Australian ports still refuse to resume under the new award, and as the shipowners refuse to meet the men’s representatives until there is full resumption, the efforts to secure peace may be defeated. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. September 18, 10.30 p.m.) Sydney, Septembr 18. It is expected that the recalcitrance on the part of the watersiders at some ports will defeat the efforts by the federal iou to secure a patched-up peace till after the Federal elections. Even in Sydney, which is regarded as the most reasonable section, some friction may develop over certain conditions in the new award, though for the present work is proceeding. Gangs were secured without difficulty for the Marama and the Maheno. There are, however, a number of steamers idle here, owing to the watersiders not working at the ports to which they were bound. There was some excitement in Sussex Street this afternoon owing to a labour foreman, Smith, being rushed by some men when he was calling for a gang to work the Mellwraith-Mc-Eachern steamer Katoomba. Smith was knocked down aud injured in the face. The arrival of police prevented the incident becoming serious. There was no work on the waterfronts to-day at Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle and Newcastle, while the Brisbane men are holding a secret ballot on the question of resumption. Melbourne, September 18. The men were informed by the shipowners that there would not be any conference on the Beeby Award until work was resumed at all ports under the terms of that award. The Victorian Premier, Mr. Hogan, also is urging the unions to resume as a preliminary to a conference. NO RESPONSE TO CALL IN AFTERNOON . (Rec, September 18,11.50 p.m.) Melbourne, September 18. No night work was done by wharf labourers on overseas or inter-State ships, but some cargo was handled during the forenoon by gangs already engaged. The afternoon pick-up, however, failed to elicit response. ISSUE OF SUMMONSES ORDERED AGAINST WATERSIDERS’ FEDERATION (Rec. September 18. 8.45 p.m.) Canberra, September 18. The Federal Attorney-General has ordered the issue of summonses against the Waterside Workers’ Federation for inciting a strike. The Attorney-General would not inform questioners whether other legal action was contemplated.