REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1922, Page 7

REMARKABLE DEVELOPMENT

UNIONS SUGGEST NON-UNION

LABOUR

CfjNITEB P&BSS ASSOCIATION.—COPIMOST.)

SYDNEY, 29th June.

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 that 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 was kept a close secret, and when approached union officials declined to discuss tho matter, but agreed that something -uust be done immediately. The general opinion is that i Mr. Hughes's threat to lay up the ship is responsible for the move now afoot, as it is considered that the unemployment of the men employed by tne 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, secretary of the Seamen's Union, has arrived. He denies that his visit is of any significance so far as the Largs Bay is concerned, or that there is any conflict of opinion between the Sydney branch and the executive of the Seamen's Union.