WATERSIDE STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 303, 22 September 1928, Page 9

WATERSIDE STRIKE

ENDED AT NEWCASTLE MEN ACCEPT TERMS OF NEW AWARD FREE LABOUR ENGAGED AT SEVERAL PORTS The watersiders at Newcastle have decided to accept the terms of the Beeby award, but at several ports the union men refuse to resume work, and free labour is being engaged. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. September 21, 8.20 p.m.) Sydney, September 21. The strike has ended on the Newcastle waterfront, the men deciding today by a small majority to accept the terms of the Beeby award. Waterside workers are now working the following ports: Sydney, Cairns, Townsville, Port Kembla, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Albany, and the Tasmanian ports. The Perth wool sales have been postponed owing to the strike. Brisbane reports that sugar growers are arriving in large numbers to load ships at Bowen, which is alive with activity. At Newcastle volunteer labour on the wharves established a record at wool loading by placing 120 bales aboard in an hour, whereas the customary rate is 70 an hour. A message from Albany states that the Orsova omitted Fremantle in her voyage, and arrived at Albany, where the watersiders began work and unshipped the cargo. At Adelaide the crews of two tugs were paid off owing to their refusal to assist steamers loaded by volunteer labour. The liner Orama resumed her voyage to London without local cargo. Melbourne, September 21. Two thousand meh attended the pickup bureau at 1 o’clock to-day. A section of the outside crowd sang “The Red Flag,” and jeered the men, who responded readily enough to the call for labour. There was no difficulty in getting the numbers required. The presence of police had a cooling effect on the demonstrators. Brisbane, September 21. The watersiders defied the union executive, who to-day appealed to them to resume under the Beeby award. A mass meeting decided not to accept work. Free labour is now being enrolled. Adelaide, September 21. The watersiders maintain their attitude of refusing work under the award. Free labourers were taken under a police guard to work the Jervis Bay at Port Adelande. DRASTIC INDUSTRIAL MEASURE INTRODUCED IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT TRANSPORT WORKERS TO BE REGISTERED (Rec. September 21, 11.20 p.m.) Canberra, September 21. The introduction of the Transport Workers’ Bill in the House of Representatives was the signal for an outbreak of interruptions from the Opposition benches during Mr. Bruce’s explanation of the provisions for the registration of all transport workers and their protection while engaged in their work and for the continued employment of such workers after the strike, and the prohibition of the employment of anyone in the transport industry unless he is registered. “It is the most drastic industrial measure introduced in the Federal Parliament for years,” Mr. Bruce declared. “The interruptions of transport by the watersiders or seamen in the past ten years have made Australia a byword. Great financial loss is already accruing to the country as the result of the present industrial trouble. The Government does not intend that there should be victimisation.” Mr. Scullin declared that he stood by arbitration and the observance of awards, and still did so. He had tried to bring about peace, but his efforts had been frustrated by the Government. He regretted that the men had not obeyed their executive, but this Bill would not help. The measure really inaugurated industrial martial law. The debate is proceeding. SEAMEN’S UNION SECRETARY INJUNCTION AGAINST OTHER OFFICIALS (Rec. September 21, 8.20 p.m.) Sydney, September 21. The Equity Court Judge to-day granted on behalf of the recently-elect-ed secretary of the Seamen’s Union an ex-parte injunction restraining Johnson and certain other union officials from interfering with Walsh’s performance of his. official duties.