WHO WILL WIN?

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 January 1925, Page 5

WHO WILL WIN?

EMPLOYEES VERSUS EMPLOYED, TITANIC STRUGGLE. IN AUSTRALIAN PORTS. fl For many weeks past a bittern struggle has been going on betwee* shipowners in Australia and m-arW time unions. Partial settlement! have been reached from time ti time, but it would appear that th 3 undercurrent seems to have, beei too strong for an actual agreerneA to be arrived at. To-day’s messages indicate that the trcJjK has been aggravated. BY CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION— Received Jan. 3, 11. 50 ■ SYDNEY, .W 3. A settlement lias been rej*ed in the Ulimaroa dispute and the ship will sail to-day. The trouble arose over the seamen’s decision that the crews must be picked up at the Seamen’s Union rooms.

Coastal companies are now affected. The Merimbula, trading on the south coast, was unable to depart on time. The owners are firm in their resolve to retain the right to select crews, and grave extension of the trouble threatens. Hon. Pratten, Minister for Customs, stated that if the dispute continues the Federal Government may decide upon a partial suspension of the Navigation Act, permitting the entry of British ships into the Australian coastal trade. INVITATION STRIKE THREAT. Received Jan. 3, 11.50 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 3. A meeting of the State Council of the Australian Railways Union is called for Saturday next to consider a proposal for an invitation strike throughout the service. i 1 SHIPS HELD UP.

J SYDNEY, Jan. 2. The waterfront*roil b!e caused delays in the departnreflof the Ulimaroa. and the Marama. liAli were to have sailed this morning for? Wellington and Auckland respectively/ The Marama 1 left the wharf at noon, but anchored in the harbour. Later fhe watjjr police boarded the steamer, and m is understood an officer laid an ii#>rmation against two of the crew. Su/scequpently the Marama resumed her voyage, clearing the heads shortly after 3 o’clock. • With reference to the Ulimaroa, just before she was timed to sail, the orew made certain demands. A conference between members of the union and the company followed, but up to a late hour in the afternoon the ship was still at the wharf. . Later. The Ulimaroa failed to get away. The owners state that she may sail at 11 o’clock to-morrow if a crew is forthcoming. At the time fixed for sailing to-day one of the crew was missing, and the'others refused to sail without him. The shipping companies claim that the methods employed indicate a conspiracy among the strikers, and that the issue, will have to be fought out il. the courts.