STRENUOUS EFFORT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 November 1927, Page 7

STRENUOUS EFFORT

TO GET STEAMERS AWAY DEADLOCK EXPECTED IN WATERSIDE STRIKE » (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) SYDNEY, 29th November. In anticipation of the possible failure of negotiations in the waterside strike to-morrow, agents are making strenuous efforts to get vessels away. A number of overseas steamers are hurrying load ing to prevent being tied up. Union circles agree that unless the watersiders agree to the shipowners' ultimatum thera will be a deadlock, the owners being determined. The Sydney branch of tlio Seamen's Union to-day discussed the position, but failed to reach any decision as to their attitude. The 1 Kiwitea is coming to Sydney. where the crew will bs paid off.

SHIPOWNERS' STATEMENT (ReceivedJfoOth Nov., 10.10 a.m.) r'.\ SYDNEY, This Day A' statement issued by the Shipowners' Association says that at 8 o clock to-day employment will be offered watersiders, the terms of engagement being those defined. by the Arbitration Court award and agreements previously accepted by the Union. -The acceptance of the provisions of tjie award will not impose any hardship on any worker, and will hot reduce the high' rate of wages paid under the award. Moreover, the shipownersCwill not cancel or withdraw concessions or, agreements mutually made, although these are additional to, and not recognised by the.award. The only change will be the .elimination of arbitrary illegal rules and which the * Court refused to grant, or which were enforced without reference to the Court.' . . • MINES MAY CLOSE • (Received 30th Nov., 11.30 a.m.) • -SYDNEY, This Day. Although inter-state shipping is greatly dplayed, it is not anticipated that this will*affect the-departure of the Maunganui, Marama, and Makura. It is stated that if the shipping at Newcastle is at a standstill for more .than a ,few days the majority of the northern coal mines will be compelled to close, idling more than 12,000 miners.

. POSITION AT MELBOURNE • . MELBOURNE, 27th November. Wharf labourers and stevedores will offer for work as usual to-morrow morning,, but only on the conditions no'.v prevailing.- They will give* no guarantees. This is in accordance ■ with the instructions of the Watersiders'- _ Federation Management Committee which is waiting to see what tactics the owners adopt to-morrow before making a f urvher move. ' A meeting of the Melbourne: branch of the. Seamen's Union adopted a resolu tion declaring that- the seamen did not want.to strike/; but-if the shipowners forced a dispute they demanded that a common policy between the seamen ami the watersiders be adopted, and that all ships, overseas and inter-State, throughout Australia be declared black. It was ;dso resolved that, until such time as the tactics employed to assist the watersiders in their fight for better conditions are,decided upon, the members of the Seafhen's .'Union perform their ."usual ship board duties-. A meeting of shipowners drew up a list of rules which have been disregarded by the watersiders and 'upon which the owners will now insist. . If the men agree to the conditions' and afterwards infringe any award conditions, the owners will stop all work on any particulai ship or group'of ships,and tie tfiem up. EFFECT ON OTHER UNIONS (Received 30th Nov., 10.10~a.rn.) . ; ' MELBOURNE, This Day There is every possibility of the overtime strike developing into a serious deadlock in the event of the absence of outside intervention. The emergency committee appointed by the Australian Council of Trades. Unions has been advised to watch events, but further intervention by that body is unlikely, although, should ships be tied up as threatened by the shipowners. widespread unemployment would result among members of many other unions which are linked with the council. It will then be essential for an outside organisation to step in, despite the assurances given by the Watersiderr Federation that it is capable oi conducting itsown disputes without outside interference. • ■ ■ " A BOMBSHELL (Received 30th Nov., 10.10 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day Officials of the Commonwealth Line steamers announced that an agreement had been reached with the' Watersiders' Federation, by which employment will be offered the men under the conditions which obtained immediately prior to the overtime strike. The Federation will provide labour for the Commonwealth liners and if necessary will permit overtime to be worked. The announcement came, as a bombshell to the owners, particularly as the .Commonwealth Line, being members of the Oversea Shipping Representatives' Association, was a party to the ultimatum served by the owners on the watersiders. ; The present agreement amounts to a repudiation of that ultimatum. The negotiations were kept a close secret until an-agreement was reached. REFERENCE IN SENATE CANBERRA, 29th November. In the Senate Senator Ogden moved the adjournment to call attention to the watersiders' strike. Condemning the men's attitude he said that the union should be forced to comply with awards, and the Federal Government should exercise every power it possesses to meet force with force and make these men obey the law. He asked, Were a few men to be allowed to bring industrial depression and hardship upon the community? If he had the power he would dercgister them and remove them from the protection of the Court.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE (Received 30th Nov., 10.25 a.m.) CANBERRA, This Day In the Senate, Sir George Pearce stated that the Government had no intention of bringing pressure to bear on the Arbitration Court to interfere in the overtime strike dispute. The watersiders were endeavouring by a species of terrorism to make the Arbitration Court bow to their dictation. There wns a duty on the watersiders to obey the conditions laid down by the Court. The Government would go to any length to EUCALYPTI EXTRACT; safest and best for Flu, Catarrh. Asthma. Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Phthisis, Rheumatism. Colds and nil winter ailments. SANDER'S won the FIRST ORDER OF MERIT and GOLD MEDAL, N.Z. & 8.8. EX.. 1926, for purity and potency. Beware of imitations. SAN- ! s unrivalled. Insist on SANDER'S

preserve law and order and see that industry was carried on. He added that there was no obligation on the Labour Party to tell the men they were in the wrong. The motion for adjournment was .-.1lowed to lapse. TASMANIA'S POSITION , (Received 30lh Nov., 11.30 a.m.) - CANRERRA, This Day. Replying to a request from a deputation of Tasmanian members of the Senate and House of Representatives, that action be taken immediately to relieve the position in Tasmania caused by the overtime strike, Mr Bruce said that the Ministry was closely watching the dispute and it was hoped that within a few days it would be possible to decide what action the Commonwealth could usefully take to end the dispute.