WORK STOPS AT SYDNEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19808, 1 December 1927, Page 11

WORK STOPS AT SYDNEY.

LONG STRUGGLE FEARED. SEAMEN SEEK CONFERENCE. FUTURE CONDUCT OF DISPUTE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 30, 11.15 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY. Nov 30. The Sydney waterside workers, who decided to commence work as usual this morning are now in line with the Melbourne men When at 5 o'clock they were asked to work overtime they refused. This means that, under the shipowners' terms of agreement. all loading and unloading of overseas and mter-StaU vessels has ceased, and ships will be tied up. These latest developments are accepted as an indication that a long struggle is commencing. As the Union Company's steamers do not work overtime no trouble is anticipated in getting them away. It is rumoured that the shipowners will take a decisive step to-morrow morning. When the men attend the morning call thet will be asked if they arc prepared to work right on. If the reply is in the negative they will not be put on. The Seamen's Union has asked the Waterside Federation to meet its representatives in conference to consider the future conduct of the dispute. It is stated (hat the seamen intend to urge that all ships throughout Australia bo declared "black." At Newcastle the wharf labourers worked to-day, but to-night they followed the lead oi Sydney, and declined overtime work.

The secretary of the Sydney branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation. Mr. W. H. Seale confirmed the statement that the waterside workers h;id reached an agreement with the ,Commonwealth Line to work overtime, and said they were willing to make some agreement with the inter-State companies which did not possess any ulterior motives. Sir William Clarkson, of the Commonwealth Shipping Board, said that the main bone of contention at. Sydney was the afternoon call. That question did not concern the Commonwealth Line, as it did not require an afternoon call to be made. a:nd because the line was not affected ithad stood clear of the Shipowners' Association in the matter. The crew of the steamer Kiwitea has been paid off.. Further overseas vessels sa led to-day. some without completing loading Earlier in the day it was stated that although inter-State shipping was greatly delayed, it was not anticipated that this would affect the departure of th» steamers Maunganui, Marama and Makura. tt is stated that if the shipping at New castle is brought to a standstill for more than a few days, the majority of the northern coalmines will be compelled to close. This will render idle more than 12,000 miners. A statement issued by the Shipowners' Aosor'atioii said that at eight o'c'oib to day employment would be offered to the watersiders, the terms of engagement being those defined by the award of the Arbitration Court and agreements previously accepted by the union. Acceptance of the provisions of the award would not impose any hardship on any worker, and would not reduce the high rate of wages paid under the award. Moreover, the shipowners would not cancel or withdraw concessions and agreements mutually made, although these were additional to- and not recognised by the award.

The only change would be the elimination of arbitrary and illegal rules and restnctions which the Court refused to grant, or which were enforced without reference to the Court. HOB ART WATER!" ifONT. NO WORKERS ENGAGED. GUARANTEE NOT GIVEN. m (Received November 30, 10.25 p.m.) A. and N.Z HOBART. Nov. 30. As they failed to give the undertaking required by the shipowners at the call for labour this morning, no waterside workers were engaged at Hobart, and the loading and unloading of vessels ceased. Among the ships affected is the Kairanga, which is loading for New Zealand. STOPPAGE AT BRISBANE. NO LABOUR OFFERING. TERMS NOT' ACCEPTABLE. (Received November 30, 10.25 p.m.) A. and N.Z. BRISBANE. Nov. 30. Not a single wharf labourer at Brisbane offered his services under the shipowners' stipulations at this morning's call for labour.