MELBOURNE WHARF.

Grey River Argus, 5 November 1928, Page 3

MELBOURNE WHARF.

The Stevedores’ Strike, j MELBOURNE, November 4. All was quiet at Port Melbourne yesterday morning. The Prince’s Pier was guarded by mounted and foot police. with their batons drawn, ready for act ion. 'fhe unionists did not attempt to interfere with the work on the wharf. They tunic <1 bark all traffic, however. that was approaching with goods for shipment. The Shootings. MR. BRUCE’(S STATEMENT. Mr Bruce, speaking iu the country, during the election tour, declared that the T-edeial Government intended to s e that adequate protection was af forded to the volunteer watersiders. Referring to the latest attacks on ! free labourers, the Prime Minister said that attempts werj being made , to intimidate and drive off the wharves the men who had como to the help of the country in ,a time of national crisis. The Federal Government was ! Aenniuel this must stop. It was the Ma e Government’s duty to see that intimidation was stopped, and he ou?;l only thaw the conclusion that t io Victoiian Administraticjn had been •. r ere '.nt to its duty, since it had '•v r .announced its defin it 1 * intcn•’ons. Mr llogau should have come out and. inter.n, 4 the people that iiis Government w.-.s there'to preserve law and order, ai d would tak steps 'To « revt n a t cks '■ n workers on the watorfrdut. This would have had a tre;ih nd( U effect. Tin* present happen ings we e significant, ami should be ■’tuui d '•Lif’clv iu view of the ap- ■ roar! i !•> elerti ns, !>e< ausc there had be. n indications in I'.? past three weeks tha; if in Labour Government we’ o pl' .c in power, a state of disorder. chins and uncertainty woulii follow. Mob rule and violence must nut be permitted. POLICE COMMISSIONER'S VIEW. MELBOURNE, November 3. The l’o ic Commissioner (General Blarney) *ays that yesterday’s firing by the police was' justified, otherwise they would hiivc been overwhelmed, an.l the strikers would have gained control. Further drafts of police arc being brought to the city, and there is no need to enrol special CGnslables, as the existing force is sufficient. Mr Croft, secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, says that body intends to urge Mr Logan to institute and inquiry info the shooting* which was unnecessary against unarmed men.