MORE MOB LAW

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 October 1928, Page 5

MORE MOB LAW

OUTBREAK AT MELBOURNE STRIKE BREAKING DOWN (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, October 1. While volunteers were leaving the Customs House, after registering for work on the waterfront, under the new Transport Act, a crowd of between three and four thousand of the strikers attacked them with bale hooks, shovels and fists. The volunteers were chased and severely beaten before they were allowed co go. The police were present in strong force. They rescued a number of the volunteers, after vigorously using their batons on the rioters.

The police after charging vhe crowd, drove them back. The strikers’ attention was then directed to several groups of Italians, who were also applying for registration. Strong reinforcements of police prevented any further disturbances. A number of the volunteers were treated at the hospitals. So far four hundred licenses have been issued for waterfront work. None of the strikers, however, has applied for registration. The shipowners are making arrangements to have the Inter-State vessels worked by volunteers as soon as possible. At a meeting to-day, the seamen decided not to man any vessels handled by volunteer labour.

CONFERENCE PROPOSALS.

MELBOURNE, October 1.

The Maritime Union, at its conference . here, is discussing a proposal that, in view of the breakaways in other ports, the watersiders should be asked to register under the Transport Act, and to fight the issue of registration on the job. A further proposal is that the whole of the Transport Unions, including Railwaymen, Carters, Drivers, Seamen, Storemen, Packers, Electricians, Engine Drivers, and Firemen should be involved. The militants are supporting a policy of declaring “black” all goods handled by non-unionists.

PORT ADELAIDE PEACE.

ADELAIDE, October 1

The Port Adelaide branch of the Watersiders’ Federation to-day decided by a large majority to call off the strike and to register for work at the to-morrow morning pick-up. Later in the day the men applied freely for licenses to work.

INSURANCE COVER.

LONDON, October 1.

The Underwriters, in response to several inquiries from Australia as to whether the risks cover injuries to volunteers on board ship have cabled an affirmative reply.

A GERMAN DISPUTE

BERLIN, October 1

Fifty thousand dockyard workers at Hamburg and Kiel struck for higher wages. All ports are likely to be immediately involved.