WATERFRONT TROUBLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20522, 25 September 1928, Page 9

WATERFRONT TROUBLE

POSITION AT BRISBANE. TWO VOLUNTEERS INJURED. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BRISBANE, September 24. There were disorderly scenes at the local wharves during the week-end. Stones were thrown, and two volunteers were injured. About 000 volunteers have enrolled, and 13 steamers are being worked. The local unionists have formed their own strike executive, and have taken the dispute out of the hands of their officials. THE PREFERENCE CLAUSE. SUSPENSION IN SOME PORTS. MELBOURNE, September 24. (Received Sept. 24, at 8.5 p.m.) On the application of the Ship Owners’ Association, Mr Justic Dcthridge, of the Federal Arbitration Court, suspended .the preference clause of. the waterside workers’ award in ports where the unionists had refused to work. He however, refused suspension in the ports where members are still working. The suspension applies to Fremantle, Adelaide, Port Kcmbla, Newcastle, Brisbane, Mackay, Bowen, and Port Phillip. The judge deferred his decision in th.e case of the ports where the position of members is in doubt, and he refused to vary the award, stating that Mr Justice Beeby could later consider any application for variation. Mr Justice Dcthridge added that without putting an end to the award he would cancel the preference clause, but where members of the federation wcie working he did not feel inclined to extend ; ..sponsion. . Five overseas vessels are now being worked by means of volunteer labour. The volunteers are brought to the docks in motor cars undei police protection, but no trouble has been experienced. Interstate vessels are being worked as usual by unionists. SYDNEY WORKING NORMALLY. ALL LABOUR NEEDS SUPPLIED. SYDNEY, September 24. (Received Sept. 24, at 7.5 p.m. ) Conditions on the Sydney waterfront to-day were normal, all labour needs being supplied. THE TRANSPORT WORKERS BILL. OPPOSITION FROM UNIONS. SYDNEY, September 24. (Received Sept. 24, at 5.5 p.m.) The waterside workers worked without a hitch. Large numbers are attending the afternoon pick-up A meeting of the New South Wales transport group of unions decided strenuously to oppose, the Transport Workers Bill, and plans are being made to call a Federal conference of unions to discuss ways and means. The loading at Newcastle of the steamer Poolta, which is en r oute to New Zealand, via north coast ports, was concluded by volunteer labour. Unionists are still working one steamer. DEVELOPMENTS AT BOWEN. RAILWAYMEN DISMISSED. BRISBANE, September 24. (Received Sept. 25, at 1 a.m.) Following the dismissal of 11 railwaymen at Bowen in connection with sugar deliveries to a wharf at which farmers are loading ships, the suggestion has arisen that Queensland is faced with another railway strike. The railwaymen at a meeting last night decided to remain outside the strike pending further instructions from the Australian Railways Union State Executive to-day, hut a fireman on a shunting engine refused to go on the jetty with a load of sugar, and was immediately suspended. Ten others who refused to take his place were also suspended. Subsequently the 11 men were dismissed.