AUSTRALIAN STRIKES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 122, 24 May 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN STRIKES

VARIOUS TROUBLES

PROLONGED STRUGGLE. AT BROKEN HILL.

(.Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.^

(Rec. 11.16 a.ra.) SYDNEY, This Day. The Amalgamated Engineers employed, on Lhd*railways arc demanding increased wages. Grocery employees are making the same demand, with the threat that if they are not granted, 24 hours’ notice of strike will be given. A ways and means committee has been appointed.

Broken Hill strikers have sent circulars to various organisations in Australia and New Zealand, announcing that the miners of Broken Hill had decided to strike to obtain conditions to enable them to live as human beings. The prim c pal demands are a six hours day, a five days’ week, abolition of nigh* shifts and contracts, compensation for occupational disease, and a living wage. _ It is anticipated the struggle will last for some months. VVatersiders are holding a mass meeting to discuss the strike situation. The crows of all inter-State coastal vessels arriving vesterdav gave notice. MELBOURNE, This Day. The strike has spread to the wheat stacks; at Brooklyn, where unionists drove loyalists from the yards. _ All work, including the shipment of wheat, for the Imperial ■Government has been suspended. The policy of terrorism is spreading. Three more loyalists were severely handled and the home of several others attacked. A hundred' special constables have boon sworn in.

The Federal President of the Returned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ League sent a message to members emphasising the necessity of abstaining from active participation in any industrial dispute, and calling on members to support the constitutional authority in maintaining law and order.

MEN STANDING SOLID

(RetAer’s Telegrams)

SYDNEY, May 23.

The anticipation in some quarters _of a possible union split over the shipping crisis is not justified 1 . The owner’s have been notified that the men are determined to stand solid.

The crews of the North Coast Company’s boats signed off to-day. The Government is determined to proceed with the secret ballot despite the refusal of the union scrutineers to act. The vessels idle include the Atua and the Waihora.

NEW POSITION AT MELBOURNE,

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association'

MELBOURNE, May 23

A new position has arisen ift the' maritime dispute. It is now stated that oven if the seamen’s trouble is ■ settled at Monday’s conference, shipping will still be kept idle unless the wharf la.bourers’ claims are satisfied.

The seamen on the Commonwealth liners are expected to gwe notice upon arrival, and the strike thus threatens to involve overseas traffic.