AUSTRALIAN DISPUTES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 20 October 1911, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN DISPUTES.

WHARF STRIKE AT SYDNEY COASTAL VESSELS HUNG UP. A SERIOUS (OUT-LOOK. SYDNEY. Friday. The wharf labourers .emplloyed in the coastal trade and on the inter-.State wharves have struck for an increase of wag«s to Is 6d an hour and 2s 3d for overtime, the samei rates ias wera obtained recently by the deep <s«a men. Several 1 steamers are held up, including the Union Company's Paloana. The strike is the outcome of a, resolution carried a. fortnight ago of the intention to demand >an increase in wages, b'ht no date was -fixtd to enforce the demand and no official notificaition was given to the shipowners, to wham the strike came as ia surprise*. Only the vesGells that have arrived since, last njighti so far are affected, those partially unloaded being completed. (Negotiations are proceeding hcitwecn. the companies involved and the wharf labourers' officials.

The shipowners ,poinit out tnat less tha.n two months ago they levelled up the ctoastal labourers' wagxtsi ,to those of deeip sea sailors at Is 3d an hour and 2s an hour overtime. The de'ep sea .men claiimied that they were entitled to a higher raite than the men on coastal, vessels. They secured an advance to Is 6d and 2s 3d, which the coastal men now demand.

The principal companies so far affected by the strikers are the Huddart-Par-ker. Illa.waxra, and South Coast, Newcastle, Huniter Raver and Uni'cra Stciam Ship Companies. No attempt has been made to unload vessel*? arriving to-day, and the policy of tying up arrivals will continue. Unless a BOtt-leemctn-t is speedily reached the whole ctoast i niter-State shipping wild be brought to a standstill. Everything is quiet, and 'both sides -are ret>iccnt. The men are very -firm in their demands and negotiations are proceeding. Tlie shipowners state they can do nothing until they have consulted their iprincipals. In the other States important developments are pi'c»baible within the next day or two. The Loongana and Kaibangaba are affected.

FU R T HER. DEV EL OPMENTS. NINE VESSELS TIED UP. A BREACH OF.AGREEMENT. (Received 9.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, Friday. The crews and permanent hands removed the perishable portions of the cargoes of arriving steamers ; but no attempt was made to touch the general loading.

The Adelaide and Melbourne Steamship Companies are amongst- those affected by the wharf strike. The latter company's .steamer sailed without- cargo. To-day's arrivals add considerably to tlie list of vessels tied up. The companies point out that the present agreement, having a currency o.' three years, was recently signed with the wharf labourers, providing a Is 3d rate.

The Waterside \Vorkers' Federation meets at Melbourne to-morrow to discuss v the situation.