A NEW MOVE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 29 September 1928, Page 5

A NEW MOVE

I IN WATERSIDE STRIKE. THE TRANSPORT ACT. MEN TOLD NOT TO REGISTER <UniteO Itcss Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) BRIISEON®, Sept. 28. The Brisbane watersiders’ conference decided to call a strike of all waterside workers throughout Queensland. The Australian Council of Trades Unions’ meeting at Melbourne decided to issue instructions to wharf labourers in all tire States not to register under the new Transport Act. This is apparently the first move in a struggle that is likely to embroil the - whole Commonwealth in a strike of a magnitude never before experienced. A NATIONAL TRAGEDY. HOLD-UP OF WOOL SALES BRUTE FORCE TACTICS DEfiLORED SYDNEY, Sept. 28. The Federal Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. S. M. Bruce., said the holding %p of the wool sales through the strike was a national ‘tragedy. The Federal Government was determined to tike every action to ensure the continuatce of the maritime services and would use every power to .prosecute people wlo interfered. ' f Mr Bruce was referring to the motion carried by the Sydney Lalour Council that it would support the South Australian "’strikers and would urge drastic action in connection with the Transport Workers’ Act. He said tnah the action of the Labour Council was a direct incentive to defy the L«v passed by /the representatives of the people and Parliament of the Commonwealth. Action of this kind should bring realisation to the whole of tbs people of Australia of how necessary it was that the Government should have taken every step to ensure the law of the land is obeyed, and the authority of Parliament maintained. A • statement issued by the Shipowners’ Association sa-fs mob law on the Adelaide waterfront is merely an exaggeration of thfl conditions under which the shipowners have been carrying on their industry. For years past the same brute farce tactics- have been applied and have-wrested ruinous con- > cessions under Wider protest from the owners, who were reluctant to tie up Australian and overseas, shipping. The rioters misjudged the spirit of the - volunteers and the owners if they believed that violence would achieve any purpose, but * strengthening of 'the determination “to seo this" thing through.” The waterfront, at Sydney is quiet. Several, vessels loaded by volunteer labour at other ports are being loaded by unionislts. nattonal crisis exists. STATU PREMIER ’S PROCLAMATION. FURTHER DISTURBANCES AT PORT ADELAIDE. ADELAIDE, Sept. 28. Following the disturbances) on the wharves the State Premier has issued a: proclamation that a state of national/ crisk'exists. 'Jliere were further disturbances today 2000 va':ersiders coining into conflict with the police when they attempted again to march to the wharves. The police, who were in. strong force, drew tieir batons, and alter a struggle in which many strikers were injured, prevented‘the watersiders crossing Robinsjn’s Bridge en route to the wharves. The strikers returned to the attack and by force of numbers thrust the police aside and swarmed across the bridge. The police were strongly reinforced and finally dispensed the rioters. Many volunteers were sworn in today as isipecial constables. The Premier’s proclamation states: “Arrangements have been made for work on the waterfront to be resumed on Monday. Meanwhile the police of South Australia have been augmented to provide the necessary protection. to ensure the safety of all -persons loading and unloading ships or otherwise engaged in the transport service.. “The Government has accepted an offer made by the Essential Services Maintenance Association, whose members were requested ‘to report immedittkely. * • “The Commonwealth Government scheme for the registration of all workers will be inaugurated on Monday, and the Government will call upon all persons willing to assist in _a time of national crisis to offer their services immediately. . ' “The issue is mob rule or constitutional'Government. The Government with all the force at its command will see that the rights of citizens are upheld. There is no excuse for the action of the strikers, who openly defied the law and so forfeited all sympathy.”

SPECIAL CONSTABLES SWORN IN

ISSUED WITH RIFLES

ADELAIDE, Sept. 28

Immediately after the Premier’s proclamation 50Q men of the essential seiviees organisation, which was formed with the object of opposing lawlessness, were sworn in as sroecuvl sanstables anti issued with rifles. They were then sent to military parade grounds and drilled under former military officers. Detachments of men were later sent to 1 ort Adelaide. , , . . , Tlie whole waterfront is now quiet, but no work is being carried out on any vessel A number of volunteer workers were strain enrolled, but it is not expected work will bo resumed before Monday.