LABOUR UNREST

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 120, 14 February 1929, Page 11

LABOUR UNREST

AUSTRALIA’S COAL AND TIMBER INDUSTRIES = DISPUTE CONCERNING HOURS EFFORTS TO AVERT A CRISIS (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright) (Rec. February 13, 10.20 p.m.) Sydney, February 13. Cabinet to-day considered the situation in the coal industry. The Premier, Mr. Bavin, later observed:.. “We are taking further steps to see whether anything further can be done to. save the position. At least 2500 mem will never be re-employed in this industry. We are anxious to know whether we can find employment for them. I shall probably visit the coalfields at a later stage.” The Premier indicated that the Government would take certain steps to restore peace in the coal industry. He is hopeful ...that a crisis, will be averted. ■ ; , • • ATTACK ON ARBITRATION SYSTEM • ILL-CONSIDERED ACTION OF UNIONS . ’ <»'• -7 (Rec. February 13, 8.25 p.m.) Canberra, February 13. Mr. W. M. Hughes, commenting oa the action of the trades, unions in. desiring to withdraw from the. Arbitration Court, said their action amounted to a frontal attack'on the arbitration system; They, had everything-to gala by arbitration, which afforded a relatively economical means of redressing their grievances. Their action was most ill-considered. - i • ■ 'i . .. ‘ ? • 2:-.. .W,’**. CALL FOR FREE LABOUR FOR MILLS . . Sydney, February 13. Free labour for the timber I 'mills in the metropolitan area was advertised for this morning by the .Timber Merchants’ Association, preference, wherever possible, to be given to former employees. It is expected that this development will, lead to an extension of the strike, and, if the appeal is successful, it will inevitably hasten its collapse. NEWCASTLE TIMBERWORKERS RESUME (Rec. February’l3, 5.5 p.m.)- '-. Sydney, February 13.' It is reported that the 1 Newcastle tiipber, workers have resumed under forty-four hour week conditions. V VIEWS OF TRADES HO T L OFFICIALS (Rec. February 13, 8.25 p.m.) Sydney, February 13. Trades Hall officials declare that they are not perturbed by the timber merchants’ threat to engage free labour. They are of opinion that they will not get much of a.response. Union officials add that they have been advised that the majority of the Newcastle yards have reverted to .a. fo.rtyfour hour week. All the men have been re-engaged. VOLUNTEERS DRIVERS STONED LIVELY SCENES AT MELBOURNE (Rec. February 13, 8.25 p.m.) Melbourne, February 13. There were lively scenes to-day at the South Wharf, where volunteer drivers were stoned by unionist strikers from the timber yards. The police took a hand and discharged revolvers over the heads of the disturbers. A policeman chased one assailant for half a mile; caught him in a waterside office, and dragged him out