FORCING CLIMAX IN SHIPPING HOLD-UP

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6613, 18 May 1928, Page 7

FORCING CLIMAX IN SHIPPING HOLD-UP

Over Thousand Men Now Idle

Whole Inter-State Fleet May Be Tied Up

Australian Press Association—United Service,

SYDNEY, May 17.

The shipowners are forcing a climax, and have now decided to lay up the Australian United Steamship Company’s large passenger vessel Orungal, which reaches Sydney to-day from Queensland ports. She has a crew of 130. Many passengers will be compelled to complete their journey to Melbourne by rail. Fourteen steamers arc now idle.

The employers are receiving numerous applications from volunteer labour, but are reluctant to take on volunteers, if they can gain the

victory in any other way. It would involve an immediate stoppage of the entire industry, and also other industries.

By giving the crew of the Orungal notice the shipowners have left no doubt that they intend to tic up the entire inter-Statc fleet as the vessels arrive at their home ports, rather than tolerate longer the tactics of the Cooks’ Union.

There arc now 17 ships idle directly and indirectly through the, dispute and 1158 men have been thrown out of employment.

Although other unions are opposing Tudehope and Johnson in their stand against a settlement, it is recognised in union circles that should non-union labour he engaged the fight will become an issue for all the unions in Australia. COOKS TO BE URGED TO RETURN TO WORK. i Received Thursday, 10 p.m. MELBOURNE, May 17. The waterside workers’ conference is still discussing tho two motions on the cooks’ trouble without reaching a decision, but the indications are that tho moderate element will prevail, and the dispute will be referred back to the Australasian Council of Trades Unions with a recommendation that the cooks he instructed to return to work on the terms of their award.