LABOUR TROUBLES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 13 February 1929, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES

TIMBER WORKERS’STRIKE ATTACK ON ARBITRATION COURT (United Press Association.—By Eleotrie Telegraph.—Copy right.) MELBOURNE, 12lh February. The Australian Trades Union Council, sitting in Melbourne to-day, replied to Air Latham’s telegrams appealing for peace in flic timber industry. The reply discloses an uncompromising attitude towards the Federal Arbitration Court, and adds: “The present industrial turmoil is the result ot your Government’s attack on the workers’ conditions. Your Government can cure the position as easily as it caused it by calling off attacks on the workers’ standards of living, and the vital 44 hour principle.” Air Latham further replied: ‘‘-My Government declines to accept the suggestion that tho decisions of the Court are to bo accepted by unions only when in their favour. The trades unions themselves joined in procuring the submission of the 44 hour question to Court and I greatly regret that you can give no bettor response to my appeal than to repeat discredited political catchwords.”

An application by the Federated Carters’ and Drivers’ Union to withdraw their claims from the Federal Arbitration Court was dismissed by Air Justice Lukin, who pointed out that no union had the right to exercise the option to withdraw claims from the court without the consent of the respondents.

CALL FOR FREE LABOUR

(Received 13th February, 10.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day.

The Timber Merchants’ Association advertised this morning for free labour for the timber mills in the metropolitan area. Preference, wherever possible, will he given to former employees. It is expected that this development will lead to the extension of the strike, and if the appeal is successful will inevitably hasten its collapse.