STRUGGLE FOR LICENCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20081, 19 October 1928, Page 13

STRUGGLE FOR LICENCES.

MELBOURNE WHABFMEN

FREE WORKERS RETAINED.

SEAMEN'S STRIKE ENDED.

SHIPS FOR DECOMMISSION.

BRISBANE TROUBLE OVER. By Telegraph—. Press Association—Copyright. (Received October 18, 11.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE. Oct, 18. The men belonging to the Melbourne branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation to day struggled in a queue to obtain licences. These were issued at a terrific rate .at the Customs House. No unionists, however, were employed to-day to work general cargo. The shipping company's representatives made it clear that volunteers are to have preference.

The owners announced also that they intend to retain all the volunteers who wish to remain at work, whether they be seamen or wharf labourers. Preparations are now being made to recom mission the idle passenger ships. Union wharf labourers will be freely picked up next week.

The Victorian branch of the. Seamen's Union to day decided in favour of a resumption of work. They first severely criticised the waterside workers for giving up the. fight "before there was any need." A red flag bearing the words: "No Surrender " is flying from the building of the Fort Phillip Stevedores' Association at Port- Melbourne. Special police were today posted on all the wharves, but there was no disturbance.

At Brisbane to-day there was also an tin expected rush by members of the Waterside Workers' Union for licences. Officially the strike is still on there, but actually the dispute has ended.