STRIKE CONTINUES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 241, 8 September 1927, Page 7

STRIKE CONTINUES

DISPUTE IN QUEENSLAND.

COURT’S TERMS REJECTED. FIRMS LOSE BUSINESS. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) BRISBANE, Sept. 7. For the first time largo firms aro feeling tho loss of business, and numbers have decided to give their employees their annual holidays whilo business is slack. If tho situation continues it will result in many dismissals. There will bo a complete cessation of all train services to-morrow. After debating the motion for adjournment, which was moved by the Premier, Mr McCormack, Parliament adjourned until September 15. A mass meeting of South- Johnstone strikers unanimously rejected the terms of settlement proposed by the Arbitration Court, and drew up new terms which will bo submitted to-night to a meeting of representatives of the combined unions. If these terms are rejected by the meeting the matter will be referred back to tho disputes committee.

A meeting of three thousand members of tho Transport Workers’ Union at Brisbane unanimously decided not to handle any goods from the railways while the strike continues, but so far petrol has not been declared “black.” A conference at Melbourne between the president of the Seamen’s Union and tho general secretary of the Australian Railways’ Union decided to summon a conference of the Seamen’s Union, the Waterside Workers’ Federation, tho Railways Union and the Marino Stewards’ Union to discuss the possibility of the strike spreading to other States. Tho present policy of these organisations is to confine the dispute to Queensland. —Press Association.

MASS MEETINGS HELD. . SUGAR MILL CLOSING. SEVERE LOSSES FEARED. Received September 8, 10.30 a.m. BRISBANE, Sept. 8. Another mass meeting, preceded by a procession through the streets, occurred in the city. Those have been arranged in order to keep up the spirits of the idle employees. Yesterday was the railwaymen’s fortnightly pay day, but as no staff was available to carry out the work the men for the time being will remain without the money owing to them. Steamers are leaving Brisbane heavily laden with passengers, cargo and mails. In somo places the mails were being despatched by private cars travelling between the towns.

Some industries are beginning to feel the pinch of the stoppage. When the Inkerman sugar mill is compelled to close down a few days hence owing to the storage congestion, about 500 men, including farm hands and cane cutters, will be thrown idle. This is the height of the season and it is feared that the losses will be severe, as the cane will have to remain in the fields instead of being harvested. Pastoralists who are hand-feeding sheep are in an anxious position, as available supplies will soon be used upi —Press Association.