“MERE BLUFF.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 December 1924, Page 9

“MERE BLUFF.”

STRIKERS’ OPINIONS

v - OF SHIPOWNERS ’ THREAT

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING DISPUTE

3Y CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT

(Received Dee; 24, 1.20 p.m.) V ; ' , _ • SYDNEY, Dec. 24. The declaration by the shipowners that five whole fleet might be thrown idle unless the seamen complied with the awards of the Court has had no effect upon flic men. It is stated that Union officials stated that they were ing the ban on inter-State ships till the overtime, claims are paid unconditionally. Owing to the non-fulfilment of the Melbourne agreement by wharf lnboruers it is possible shipowners ihay reconsider ,a settlement. Opinion expressed in-: union circles is that the shipowners’ declaration is mere bluff; Union officials -stated that thew were unable to say what the next development would be. .They regard the situa'tion as oifo whereof anything might come. Owing to. .tlie dispute about wages the crews of. the steamers Po’rama and Baldina were paid off at Newcastle and the vessels'laid up. ■j The president, of the Miners ’ Federation lias been informed that the Coal Tribunal will be summoned during- the second week in .January to deal with the claims made by the federation some months ago for a -minimum., weekly wage of £5 10s and a uniform seven; hours day throughout the industry. Whlen the claims were, last before the tribunal the chairman said they would not commence the hearing until all the pits then idle had resumed, and until his award with reference to the Lithgow coke works and cuffing machines at Pelawmain had been' observed. Only the first of these conditions have been fulfilled. ' It is expected that the hearing, will last several weeks.