A BATTLE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 7 November 1924, Page 5

A BATTLE.

r—f , CAPITAL VERSUS LABOUR. THE AUSTRALIAN TROUBLE. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT SYDNEY, Nov. 6. It is authoritatively stated that before deciding upon the plan of campaign against the shipping labour bureau the Waterside Workers’ Federation, with the endorsement of the transport group, obtained a definite assurance from each Labour Premier in the Commonwealth that he would not permit the establishment of a shipping labour bureau. When the trouble started the watersiders state that they were prepared to go on indefinitely With the overtime strike because for the first time in many months most of them were earning considerably more than they have for years. This, they state, is due to double shifts working to expedite the handling of cargoes. The Ferndale is still without a complete crew. All the stewards have now left. Another attempt will he made on Friday to sign on complete crews. Present indications point to a protracted struggle between the Commonwealth Line and the unions. » A meeting of stewards resolved that no member should apply for employment, on the Ferndale until the men whom the Seamen’s Union, objected to were discharged. It is stated that the interstate shipping companies will endeavour to break the overtime strike by a policy of passive non-resistance and by laying up the steamers. The trouble with the “wharfies” may go 011 indefinitely. The oversea shipping companies, with the aid of the bureau workers, can carry on indefinitely, hut the interstate companies will continue to tie up their steamers as soon as they are unloaded, and will not employ either bureau or free labour. They believe thev will he able to stand the siege longer'than the wharf labourers’ union. • The sailors’ and soldiers’ shipping bureau has combined into a Wharf labourers’ union, and will shortly apply for registration. " ‘ A member of the shipping bureau on the way to work was assaulted, and a body of police has been despatched to the wharves as a precautionary measure. Iti future extra police Will lie placed on duty where bureau men may be subject to violence. , The Moreton Bay’s passengers will be sent bv train to Brisbane on Friday. It is probable the crew will be paid off and the ship tied up.