IMPORTANT CONFERENCES TO BE HELD AT MELBOURNE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 5 December 1927, Page 5

IMPORTANT CONFERENCES TO BE HELD AT MELBOURNE

INTERVENTION BY TRADES UNION COMMITTEE ASSISTANCE TOWARDS AMICABLE SETTLEMENT

MELBOURNE, 4th Dec

The first dcfiiiito move in the way of a settlement of the watersiders strike was made yesterday by Mr Croft, secretary of the Federal Trades Union Committee, telegraphing to Mr Bruce offering to give all possible assistance to-morrow tn secure arr, amicable settlement. Cross plaints by the Waterside Workers' Federation and the Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association and other shipowners involved will be mentioned in the Federal Arbitration Court at Melbourne.

It is understood the following terms of settlement are to be suggested unofficially bv union mediators to the Court officials: That tho overtime strike bo declared off; that the men resume work at all ports under award conditions; that the question of one or two pick-ups be left to the board of reference; and that the Court hear immediately the men's log claims. The management committee of the Waterside Workers' Federation in an official statement declares that it accepted the challenge of the shipowners, and will use all the forces at its command to support its position. The statement adils: "The committee of management has made every endeavour to localise the dispute to its own occupations." After dealing with the attitudes of the two sides to the dispute the statement goes on to say:—"The shipowners, to cover up the weakness of their position and confuse flic public mind as to the issue, have, launched what they arc pleased to call an ultimatum, which is the direct result of their failure to stampede our members." Crews of vessels are being paid off as they reach port. The steamer Port Denison got away for New Zealand on Fridav. t