AUSTRALIA'S TROUBLES.

Feilding Star, Volume II, Issue 513, 26 March 1908, Page 3

AUSTRALIA'S TROUBLES.

CONFERENCE OF NO EFFECT. EMPLOYERS WANT FREEDOM OF CONTRACT. • ___ [BY ELECTRIC TELEGEAPH — OOPiraiG'TT.j iPKH rasas association.] Sydney, Mdtfh 25. The (trouble between the coastal shipping companies and the Wharf Labourers' Union is to continue. The conference broke up to-ndght after a further lengthy sitting and Mr Hughes announced that tho companies had rejected the terms submitted by the Unionists and the struggle would continue. On behalf of the companies <a statement was made that the only point • they are fighting for is freedom of contract. This is not only in their own interests, they say, but in the interests of employers of labour throughout AustraMa. Many rumours are current as to the probable development and extension j of the strike and the position is considered critical. Both sides are ?etioent. During the. day the Employers' Federation -held a meeting and reaffirmed their intention to preserve the right of private contract in regard to the employment of free labour.