SUMMONS BY SCULLIN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1931, Page 13

SUMMONS BY SCULLIN

PARTIES TO DISPUTE

COMPULSORY CONFERENCE

STATUS QUO MEANWHILE

United Picas Association —?>y Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received 31al October, 'J a.m.) SYDNEY",'This Day. The Prime Minister, Mr. .]. .11. Scullin, has communicated with the parlies lo the shipping dispute intimating that he will convene a compulsory conference before Judge Dethridgc. In the meantime shipowners are asked to make no appeal for volunteer labour. A compulsory conference of shipowners and union representatives was convened at Melbourne this afternoon, but the Sydney union officials did not receive notification in time and the conference will probably be postponed until Monday. VOLUNTEER CEEWS. In defiance of the strike committee the motor-ship Momba signed on a volunteer crew and sailed late last night. This is the biggest setback the strikers liav.c experienced. A crew was also selected for the steamer Wear, which has been towed into the stream ready for departure. The majority of volunteers on this vessel are unionists. Having gone too far with tho arrangements with the Wear to temporise further, the shipowners could not comply with Mr. Seullin's request in regard to this ship, but gave an assurance that they would hold three other ships, for which crews are available, until the conference is held. BASHEKS INTIMIDATE. When calls were made for crews yesterday nearly two thousand seamen attended, but undor threats of the bashers of the Communists' Strike Committee, there was no response. Many, however, handed their names privately to the owners. There seems little doubt that every 'ship will be able to secure a first-class crew. Despite the fact that the daily strike resolution was carried with the usual I majority at Newcastle a volunteer crew was secured for the Mernoo. Tho ship will be held up pending the Melbourne conference. The motor-ship Mundalla sailed from Sydney late last night.