AUSTRALIAN COMMUNISTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 October 1928, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN COMMUNISTS

URGE GENERAL STRIKE GARDEN’S LATEST RUSE (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable —Press Assn. —Copyright.) MELBOURNE, October 2. The Maritime Unions’ Conference is discussing a motion as follows: “That this conference realising that the Bruce Government and the shipowners have united forces to smash all the Maritime and Transport Unions, and that this Conference, having done all that is possible to avert an industrial upheaval, has now no alternative but to fight for their freedom and liberty and therefore decide upon the follow-, ing policy: To instruct all of the workers to refrain from taking out licenses to work; the formation of Councils, of Action in each State, the organisation of strong picketing squads; no trade •.unionists to handle any goods handled by free labour, or to work in co-op-eration with free labour; the electricians and gas workers to hold themselves ready to take necessary action at the time and’ place to be decided by the Australasian Council of Trades Unions; every Union in the Commonwealth to act in conjunction with the State Council of Action; every Union to work as a disciplined force, and no sectional or craft action to be engaged in; and, finally, that there must be no action, however provocative the action of the employers until such action is instructed by the Australasian Council of Trade Unions.” There is an amendment to the above motion, suggesting that in view of the situation existing, it is advisable that the watersiders be instructed to register under the Transport Act, and to resume work, and that the question of fighting the Act when the men are back on their jobs shall be left to the discretion of the Council and the Unions. This is now being discussed.

PARLIAMENTARIANS’ WARNING

(Recd. October 3, 10.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, October 3.

The motion was launched by Mr. Garden, secretary of the New South Wales Labour Council. After long discussion it was referred to a special sub-committee, which will probably furnish its report to the conference to-day. The amendment was defeated by a large majority. Mr. Scullin and other Parliamentarians addressed the conference. Mr. Scullin condemned Garden and other militants for attempts to extend the strike, saying they were urging men to do things they themselves were not prepared to do. He added that the continuance of the strike would certainly disrupt the Labour movement and prejudice Labour’s chances at the approaching Federal elections. The atmosphere became electrical when about fifty coal trimmers rushed into the conference room and demanded no surrender. Garden influenced the men to leave the hall.

SEAMEN STRIKE.

MELBOURNE, October 2.

The seamen and stewards of the Tasmanian steamer “Oonah” walked off the vessel to-day, because volunteer la-, hour worked the cargo last night. 1 Heavy rain fell at this morning’s pick-up, and prevented any recurrence 'of violence, there being more police 'present than either volunteers or strikers. There was no attempt to molest the volunteers applying for licenses. The seamen of the steamer Burwah, .after supplying steam for volunteers working the cargo for half an hour, left the vessel. They stated that they would not assist volunteer labour. In order to maintain communication with Tasmania, the shipowners have decided not to receive any cargo 'for the Nairana, and the vessel will jsail for Tasmania with passengers Jonly. AT PORT ADELAIDE. ADELAIDE, October 2. The Port Adelaide branch of the Watersiders’ Federation refused to resume work to-day, although all had registered under the Transport Act. The men claim that the regulations are not clear, and that it will be an advantage to both parties if they are thoroughly understood. The men state that the shipowners had promised a conference to discuss this aspect, but . to-day the owners refused it, stating that the headquarters of the shipping companies at Melbourne would not agree to this condition.

Work at a number of vessels was resumed with volunteer labour. The wharves are now strongly guarded with armed special police.

PEACE AT NEWCASTLE

SYDNEY, October 2.

The issuing of waterside work licenses at Newcastle-is proceeding without any hitch. Strikers were to-day working side by side with volunteers.

MINES IDLED.

SYDNEY, October 2.

Owing to a shortage of waggons, two collieries in the Cessnock district aie being closed, thus idling two thousand employees. The closing of the mines is due to the waterside strike, as when ships are not moving, waggons cannot be emptied at .Newcastle, and the pits do not cut coal unless it can be got away. LATER.

Unless the watersiders’ strike is settled within a fortnight, every coalmine in the Northern fields will be compelled to close, idling over thirteen thousand miners. The shortage of shipping and the consequent piling up of thousands of coal-laden waggons at Newcastle, and the withdrawal of the railwaymen from coal services, is having a drastic effect on mining operations. Besides the two mines mentioned above, a large number of other collieries are easing up production, in the endeavour to make the waggon supply lust as long as possible.