LABOR UNREST.

Mataura Ensign, 3 November 1911, Page 6

LABOR UNREST.

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING STRIKE. GENERAL POSITION SERIOUS. 8* ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. COHXKIOUT. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIA'i m\ SYDNEY, Nov. 2. The sudden action of the deep-sea men has completely surprised the shipowners and generally accentuated the congestion, i'he effect is particularly felt in connection with a number of partially loaded and unloaded oversea vessels which have been added to the long list of coastal and inter-State vessels already held up. A strong section of the deep-sea men has freely expressed dissatisfaction with the stoppage. A petition has been extensively signed asking the Executive Committee to call another special mass meeting, and it is understood that arrangements are being made to hold one on Saturday. The Shipowners' Federation will probably meet to-morrow to discuss the situation. Addressing one of a number of impromptu meetings to-day a prominent member of the Wharf Laborers' Union declared that the action of the union in calling the men out was like that of a | burglar entering a man's house without giving warning. The whole thing was unconstitutional and illegal. He would rather lose the whole of the society's funds than act dishonestly like this. Unwonted work is beginning to tell on clerks and permanent hands and in consequence some companies are curtailing already small consignments and refusing, to receive more cargo. The deep-sea men's action has left the Tofua's cargo of bananas partially unloaded and fruit merchants and clerks are finishing the work. The Moana has not been touched since her arrival and other vessels are in like case, while the crews of some deep-sea vessels have replaced wharf laborers.

THE PREMIER SPEAKS. WORK MUST BT RESUMED. SYDNEY, Nov. 2. A special meeting of the Cabinet discussed the strike. Subsequently Mr McGowen (Premier) stated that the work of the port must be carried on. The Government would take all necessary steps to prevent trade from being suspended. The Government would appoint an arbitration tribunal immediately to consider the matter. Trade unionists support the Government's attitude. Mr McGowen added that since the commencement of the trouble, realising the serious danger of the strike spreading, he and his colleagues had used endeavors to secure resumption of work and they were astounded at the wharf laborers extending the strike to the deep-sea men. F;ch a strike must cause serious injury t general trades unionism and industrial arbitration and lay open trades unionists to the reproach that an agreement silemnly entered into, can be flagrantly violated. He still believed that the Wharf Laborers' Union had not grasped the seriousness of the situation. The State was face to face with a general stoppage of transport work, which would spell disaster to the men concerned and the whole community. The strikers had made a serious mistake in acting as enemies of trade unionism. He urged them in their own interests and the interests of trades unionism immediately to resume work and submit the dispute to arbitration. Whatever the consequences, the Government was determined to discharge its duties to the community. If immediate resumption on all wharves was decided on serious consequences which otherwise were inevitable - would be averted. This was a time when all true unionists should stand by the declared policy of industrial arbitration and assist the Government in vindicating it.

BRITISH RAILWAYMEN. DEMANDS IMPOSSIBLE. LONDON, Nov. 2. The railwaymen's manifesto and demands as cabled emanated from Doncaster and have been approved at various meetings, including some at King's Cross, Peterborough and Bradford. The manifesto is now before the men's executive for revision. The companies declare that the demands are impossible and, if conceded, would entail an additional annual outlay totalling several millions. UNIONS DIVIDED. LONDON, Nov. 2. The committees of four railwaymen's unions are sharply divided in opinion concerning the findings of the Commission. The latest indications arc that a compromise will be found towards greater recognition with a view to obviating any precipitate action.