SERVICES RESTORED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 117, 11 February 1936, Page 9

SERVICES RESTORED

Licensed Crews Manning Australian Ships MOST POSITIONS FILLED By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received February 10, 11.30 p.m.) Melbourne, February 10. Although the Boilermakers’ Shipwrights’ and Amalgamated Engineering Union invited a conference of Federal unions to discuss the shipping strike, no representatives attended today, which indicates that they are not interested in the extension of the strike. The conference discussed the rejection by seamen of the owners’ terms-, and decided again to approach the owners at another conference.

All cargo services and main passenger services are now restored with licensed crews. There are no vacancies for unionists on any Melbourne ship. Mr. R. G. Menzies, Federal AttorneyGeneral, said to-day that of the 2320 positions rendered vacant by the strike, 1780 had been filled by licensed volunteers, and many men were waiting to fill the 500 remaining positions. Of 112 vessels rendered idle at all ports, 93 had been recommissioned. Regulations giving permanent preference to volunteers will be gazetted in a few days. PORT KEMBLA STRIKE Unions Decide to Localise Dispute (Received February 10, 10.55 p.m.) * Sydney, February 10. A conference of combined unions was held at the Trades Hall, Sydney, today, when it was decided for the present to localise the ironworkers’ and other disputes to the foundry of the Australian Iron and Steel, Ltd., Port Kembla, but further developments are expected later in the week. The strikers’ executive announced that there is no intention to withdraw power-house employees, plunging south coast towns Into darkness. The unions are making arrangements to provide strike pay for the thousands at present idle. The directors of the Port Kembla works have so far made no statement regarding their intentions, and have made no overtures whatever toward a settlement of the strike.