STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19807, 30 November 1927, Page 11

STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA.

FEARS OF DEADLOCK. ULTIMATUM EXPIRES TO-DAY. VESSELS HURRIEDLY LOADING. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 29, 8.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Nov. 20. In anticipation of the possible failure of negotiations in the watersido strike to-morrow, shipping agents arc making strenuous efforts to get their vessels away. A number of overseas steamers are hurrying with their loading so as to prevent them being tied up. In union circles it is agreed that unless the waterside workers agree to the shipowners' ultimatum, there will be a deadlock, as tho owners are determined in their attitude. The Sydney branch of the Seamen's Union to-day discussed the position, but members failed to reach any decision as to their attitude toward the dispute. The .Union Company's steamer Kiwitea was placed on the " black ' list when it "arrived at Newcastle with a load of zinc from Hobart The wharf labourers refused to unload the cargo because it was loaded by the zinc company's own employees. The vessel will be brought to Sydney, where the crew will be paid off. NO MOVE BY MEN., WATCHING OWNERS' TACTICS. PROMISES NOT TO BE GIVEN. (Received November 30, 12.30 a.m.] A. and N.Z. MELBOURNE, Nov. 29. The Melbourne wharf labourers and stevedores, will offer for work as usual to-morrow morning, but only on the conditions now prevailing. They will, give no guarantees. This is in accordance with the instructions of the Waterside Workers' Federation, the Management Committee of which is waiting to see what tactics the owners will adopt to-morrow, before making any further move. A meeting of the Melbourne branch of the Seamen's Union adopted a resolution declaring that the seamen did not want to strike, but if the shipowners forced a dispute they would demand that a common policy between the seamen and the watersiders be adopted, and that all ships throughout Australia, overseas and inter-State, be declared "black." It was also resolved that until such times as the tactics to be employed to assist tho watersiders in their fight for better conditions are decided upon, the members of the Seamen's UnioS will perform their usual shipboard duties. A meeting of shipowners drew up a list of rules which has been disregarded by the waterside workers, and upon which the owners will now insist If men agree to the conditions and after wards infringe any award conditions, the* owners will stop all work on any particular ship, or group of ships, and tie them up. FEARS OF WORKERS. OWNERS REMAIN ADAMANT. TERMS MUST BE OBSERVED. A. and N.Z. MELBOURNE. Nov. 29. \t a meeting of the Management Committee of. the Waterside Workers' Federation fears were expressed that if the shipowners carried out their threat to tie up their ships in (he event of their terms being disregarded by the watersiders, the dispute would reach a stage which was not contemplated by the union when the original overtime strike was given effect to Later Oie committee announced that although no reply had been received from the shipowners, the union was still prepared to negotiate with the object of endeavouring to arrive at a settlement in order to obviate the drastic measures contemplated by the shipowners. The Port Phillip stevedores, who handle all Overseas cargo in the port of Melbourne, have decided to support, the strike. Representatives of the shipowners state that they will refuse to confer with the delegates of the waterside workers. Even if the men decide to return to normal conditions to-morrow the owners will hold to tho loiter of their ultimatum. If the men decide to resume the owners will not open any negotiations until the matter comes before the Arbitration Court. The terms of awards and agreements will have to be honoured until the matter is before tho Court.