30,000 IDLE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1737, 12 February 1921, Page 5

30,000 IDLE.

STRIKE MADNESS IN AUSTRALIA. [By Electric Cablet —Copyright.] [Auat. and N.Z. Cable Association.] MELBOURNE, February 11. Mr Hughes, commenting on the telegram from the Federal Labour Party, requesting the appointment of a tribunal rtnder the terms of the Industrial Peace Act, stated that Mr Walsh and his associates must be taught a lesson. The Government refused to appoint a tribunal as the seamen had declined to resume work in accordance with the terms of the registered agreement, but sought resumption of work on conditions existing prior to the stewards’ strike. • The shipowners, in a communication with Mr Hughes, opposed the appointment of a tribunal, as it would play into the hands of a few extremists. In any case, it was unnecessary, as the owners simply desired assurance that the seamen in future would recognise constituted authority. .

Mr Walsh stated yesterday that arrangements for convening an immediate meeting of the new executive of the Seamen’s Uniofi had been cancelled. They may meet about September. It is estimated that 30,000 workers are idle, chiefly as the result of the shipping strike and the resultant idling of the coal mines and other dependent industries. On behalf of the employers it is claimed that the trouble is mainly traceable to single young men in the coal mining industry and on the waterfront getting too much money and getting it too easily, and that the time had arrived when the unions should officially disavow job control and “go slow” tactics. The union officials reply that the trouble is directly the outcome of the action of the employers in certain industries seeking to create trouble with the employees to secure a trial of strength. They predict that the employers’ methods will evolve a Frankenstein little thought of on both sides, and they describe the position as very serious. GENERAL STRIKE PROBABLE. ALL UNIONS’ CONFERENCE CALLED. MELBOURNE, Last Night. An All Australian Unions’ Conference has been summoned by the Trades Hall Disputes Committee in connection with the shipping strike and will probably meet on the 17th. All hopes of intervention by the Government have been abandoned and the outlook is now very serious, as it has been ascertained that union circles are discussing the direct extension of the dispute, involving the coal mines.