AUSTRALIAN LABOUR TROUBLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8534, 14 March 1908, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR TROUBLE.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) Per Press Aew.'CleTion. (Received March ,14th, 10.22 a.m.) SYDNEY. March 14. The Labour Party objects to the Industrial Dispute Bill on several grounds, and hopes to modify it considerably. A strike of labourers at the Lithgow ironworks has thrown the mills idle. Over 300 men are out. Through the efforts of the Women's Empire League, a number of Indian Mutiny veterans have been enabled to leave Rookwood Benevolent Asylum, and have been provided with! comforts. THE WHARF LABOURERS' STRIKE. NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING. (Received March 14th, 10.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 14. The Premier has been unofficially approached with a view to mediation in the strike, but he is unable to give an answer until the matter is brought formally before him.

Mr Hughes, president of the Waterside Workers' Federation, informed an interviewer that certain influences are at. work which may result in ending the trouble. He did not care to say more than that at present. He was hopeful that things would soon be all right. Mr Hughes further stated that a cable had been sent to the International Transport Workers' Federation headquarters in Hamburg with a view to giving assistance in dealing with vessels arriving at European ports if necessary.

A meeting of the Wholesale Produce Merchants' Association resolved to appeal to the Premier to assist in securing the landing of perishable products, large quantities of which would otherwise be ruined.

■One rumour afloat is that, if the men do not quickly return to work'the shipping companies intend to tie up ..their boats and pay off- all hands.

The Stevodor&s' Association resolved to issue summonses agairi3t the men for breach of contract. In most cases the crews of vessels are assisting to handle cargo, but on some of the Gorman-Australian line steamers they declined. The position at Newcastle is unaltered. Very little is doing on the wharves. In Brisbane fruit and other cargo for Sydney is being refused.