Overtime Strike

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 282, 8 November 1924, Page 5

Overtime Strike

THE COMMONWEALTH LINE. TRANSFER TO BRITISH REGISTRY EFFECT OF IRRITATION TACTICS. Sydney, Nov. 7. A decision of outstanding importance and likely to have far-reaching future results is reported to have been made by tli© Commonwealth Line, which lias decided that steps be taken to remove all its steamers from the Australian register and register them as British vessels. The decision is alleged to be the outcome of innumerable irritation strikes in Australia, which have placed the line at a great disadvantage and resulted in tremendous aggregate losses. Tli© decision will mean that the whole fleet can be manned under British conditions.

When the report was referred to Mr. Bruce h© would neither confirm nor deny it. Earlier information stated that notice was given in th© London Gazette on October 14 that after 40 days it was proposed to submit to His Majesty-in-Ct>uncil an order under the Merchant Shipping Act for the registration as British steamers of all vessels belonging to the Commonwealth Government.

There is no outstanding change in respect to th© overtime strike, although further delays occurred to interstate steamers. If the delays, continue the steamers will be laid up and the crews piaid off. The Moreton Bay and the Ferndale. are still hung up. A protracted dispute is expected. The Moreton Bay’s crew has received 24 hours’ notice. The company will lay the vessel up until a binding agreement with the dissatisfied unions is reached. STRIKERS AND WORKERS. AFFRAYS AT WOOLLOOMOOLOO. (Received 8, 10.10 a.m.) Sydney, Nov. 8. Several minor affrays between wharf labourers from the shipping bureau and others occurred at Woolloomooloo when the men knocked off work. The trouble usually arose through bystanders using certain epithets towards the bureau mon as they passed. The police were quickly on the scene, and no serious injuries are reported.