SYDNEY DOCKERS’ STRIKE

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 May 1945, Page 7

SYDNEY DOCKERS’ STRIKE

ADMIRAL FRASER’S COMMENT

SYDNEY, May 9

Admiral Fraser, Commander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet spoke at the opening of the Navy Branch of the new British centre. He expressed an earnest hope of an early settlement of the dock workers’ dispute on the Sydney -waterfront. There are more than 3000 dock workers on strike, as the result of the union dispute. Admiral Fraser said people should bo gravely concerned at the withdrawal of labour from the docks. He doubted whether the immense importance of clocking at this stage in the Pacific was realised.

“I have no responsibility in this matter, but I have the responsibility of ordering my ships to battle areas, even if they are not in proper repair,” he added. “My officers have nothing but praise for the Australians who had worked aboard our ships.” In the House of Representatives, the Acting Minister of Defence, Mr. John Beasley, said steps are being taken, to prevent British shipping repairs from being delayed by the Sydney dockyard strike. Mr. Abbott, a Country Party speaker, asked whether it was true that British warships were in action near Ryukyu Islands, south-east of Japan, and could not be repaired in Sydney because of the strike, and had to be diverted elsewhere.

Mr. Beasley replied: “No warships requiring repair have had to be diverted from the Sydney dockyards, but some supply ships have been affected.”

RAILWAYMEN IDLE

SYDNEY, May 9

Because the Union was refused two days off as compensation for men rostered to work to-day (V.E. Day holiday) a 24 hour strike was declared by the Australian Railways Union at midnight last night. More than 1500 railway workers were involved in the stoppage, which will end at midnight to-night. All Sydney suburban trains were affected, but some trains to country centres have been staffed by salaried officers. Many V.E. Day revellers were left stranded in the city in the early hours of this morning by the unexpected strike.