STRIKE POSITION IN AUSTRALIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 6 December 1927, Page 5

STRIKE POSITION IN AUSTRALIA

: : / COURT INSISTS ON OBSERVANCE OF AWARD INDICATIONS, THAT ASSURANCE WILL BE GIVEN i COLLAPSE OF INDUSTRY THREATENED IF STRIKE CONTINUES

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association)

MELBOURNE, sth December. Hundreds of Avatersiders gathered at the Federal Arbitration Court this morning for the opening of the hearing'' of the Avatersiders’ overtime case.

Mr Justice Beeby, Avho presided, read a Ic-ngthv statement dealing, with the events which led up to the difficulties. It seemed that an allegation had been made by the Watersiders’, Federation that they had been denied access to the Court.

Mr Justice Beeby said that-the Court had been opened to both parties since November, and tlfy hearing of the case had been delayed only because the union and employees .had. not given, the necessary guarantees that they Avouid observe the conditions of the existing award and Avouid not preserve the dignity of the Court. If the unions Avere to have arbitration they must obey its awards. He added 'that affidavits and evidence submitted to the Court raised a strong presumption that after a long hearing, and the making of an award, the employees’ union did not intend to accept the Court’s decision, and Avithout the removal of that presumption, it was impossible for the Court to hear the union. The Judge’s request for a definite undertaking to abide by the .ward Avas followed by an appeal by Mr Crofts, secretary of the Australasian Council of Trade Unions, that lie should take the parties into his. confidence and make a final effort to have the case, heard in open court. Mr Crofts added that full assurances that the existing award Avouid he obeyed could be obtained.

Mr Justice Beeby said that the executive of the unioh must consider the matter and carry some definite resolution and submit it to the Court / There Avas an obstacle, and a very definite one, iri the way of the Court functioning for the present.

His Honour also sought and was given ari undertaking by the secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Federation' that it the dispute as to the second pickup could be overcome, assurances Avouid bo given enabling him to proceed with the hearing of the AvatersiderS’ case.

Mr Croft assured Mr Justice Beeby that if there were any difficulties in the way of hearing the case he believed that they could be overcome if he Avouid only give the union an opportunity in conference of slating: its side of the case. He undertook to give the necessary full assurances required from the executive. Mr Justice Beeby, with a full sense of responsibility, said that he Avouid giA'e the union a definite chance of again working under the arbitration system. If it decided it would not do so, and its members Avouid not observe awards, they then must take their own course. After receiving a promise that the required assurances Avouid be obtained, His Honour adjourned the Court sine die.,

Subsequently the executive of the Watersiders’ Federation met to discuss the .position as laid down by Mr Justice Beeby and it is expected that a resolution will be carried as required by His Honour, and that the overtime strike will bo called off. A combined conference 1 of Melbourne and Sydney shipoAyners Avas held this afternoon. It is understood that the shipowners are not altogether, satisfied. Their opinion is that the 'suggested conference can only be held at the request of both parties to the dispute.