THE AUSTRALIAN CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20536, 11 October 1928, Page 9

THE AUSTRALIAN CRISIS

CONFERENCE OF STRIKERS. INVOLVING OTHER WORKERS. RECOMMENDATIONS TO UNIONS. r (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, October 10. The conference of strike delegates decided to recommend that the carters, drivers, tugboat engine drivers, and firemen should cease working with nonunionists. A mass meeting of carters and drivers is being held to-nigbt to discuss the recommendation. Steps have already been taken to involve the gas and electricity workers. The ship owners are continuing to develop their plans for the retention of volunteer labour. There are now more than 3500 men enrolled, but it is unlikely that more than half of these will remain at work permanently. AUSTRALIAN NAVIGATION ACT. REPEAL OF COASTAL CLAUSES. SYDNEY, October 9. (Received Oct. 10, at 5.5 p.m.) In the course of a speech at Sydney, Mr Bruce, the Australian Prime Minister, announced his intention of repealing the coastal clauses of the Australian Navigation Act. This will permit British ships to engage in the Australian coastal trade. Mr Bruce further intimated that tariff protection would be afforded vessels complying with Australian wages and living conditions and regulations. VOLUNTEERS IN MELBOURNE. NEARLY TWO THOUSAND WORKING. MELBOURNE, October 10. (Received Oct. 10, at 9 p.m.) Plans are being made by the Central Strike Committee to withdraw members of the Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association from tugboats and lighters, but they are not likely to succeed, as these men have already opposed a strike. The carters will meet to-night, but it is believed that they, instead of resolving to join the strike immediately, will demand that the waterside workers should first take a secret ballot cf their own members to see if they really favour continuing what is regarded as a hopeless fight. The train service from the city to Port Melbourne was suspended for nearly two hours late last night owing to reports that bomb outrages were planned against trains carrying free wharf workers. The police and the railway authorities guarded the line carefully, and a thorough search revealed nothing sinister. Theatre patrons and others who were go ; "g home towards midnight, when the trains resumed, travelled with uneasy minds and tense nerves. The line was strongly guarded all night. While the mass meeting of strikers was in progress this morning, 1900 volunteers were working 30 oversea and interstate ships. Over 35,000 enrolments have been made already, including a number of unionist from Queensland, but there are still 26 idle interstate ships at Melbourne. STORMY MEETING IN SYDNEY. TWO DISTINCT FACTIONS. SYDNEY, October 10. (Received Oct. 10, at 8 p.m.) The meeting of the Waterside Federation in Sydney to-day was, marked by exciting moments, and feeling ran high between those favouring an extension of the waterside trouble and those contending that the Sydney men should continue to work all vessels. It is understood that the furniture of the meeting hall was roughly handled, and the men dispersed in disorder. THE DANGER OF TYRANNY. COMMENT BY FINANCIAL NEWS. * LONDON, October 10. (Received Oct. 11, at I a.m.) The Financial News says: “The verdict in favour of Mr Bruce will help to liberate Australia from the danger of tyranny and strengthen the foundations of true democracy. Mr Scullin’s policy to roly on internal capital can only retard and cripple economic progress.”— Australian Dress Association.