WATERSIDE TROUBLE IN AUSTRALIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 3 December 1927, Page 7

WATERSIDE TROUBLE IN AUSTRALIA

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association) MELBOURNE, 2nd December. The wharves to-day presented a desolate appearance. Excepting for the loading of one Commonwealth steamer, all work was at a standstill. _ r The shipowners are' awaiting advices from other inter-State ports before attempting to evolve a definite policy for the future One of them declared that there was no chance of a compromise and that the owners would fight to a; finish. It is estimated that the shipowners' move in the waterside strike has directly idled 20,000 men in Victoria, and unless there is a settlement before Christmas many' thousands more, directly and indirectly, will be affected. In the mean time the loss in wages and to industry through paralysing business will amount/ to an enormous sum. After the shipowners' conference today a statement was issued that their policy remained unchanged. Mr Mathers, chairman of the watersiders' committee of management, asked if his members would agree to work overtime- if one picking up time was conceded. He said that was one one of two issues involved in the dispute. The question of preference to members of the federation was tho other issue. Not until both -were conceded would the watersidirs work overtime pending tho hearing of their claims by tho Arbitration Court. Senator McLachlan, assistant-Federal Minister, is 7 "watching affairs on behalf of the federal Government, lie states that the Government does not intend to take 'immediate action, but the situation is being closely watched. During the day he held a conference with the chairman of the overseas and Commonwealth ship owners and the secretary of the Trades Hall Council. It is. understood the shipowners' conference to-day discussed the question of free labour and wUI consider the. mattei further to-morrow. .The main point is that they ,want a definite assurance of adequate protection if they establish free labour bureaux.

OWNERS DETERMINED TO FIGHT TO A FINISH SHIPPING PRACTICALLY AT A STANDSTILL CARGO PILING UP ON THE WHARVES