TIMBER WORKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20642, 14 February 1929, Page 9

TIMBER WORKERS

THE AUSTRALIAN DISPUTE. CALL FOR FREE LABOUR (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY. February 13. The Timber Merchants’ Association advertised this morning for free labour for the timber mills in. the metropolitan area. Preference wherever possible will be given to former employees. ' It is expected that; this development will lead to an extension of the strike, and if the appeal is successful it will inevitably hasten its collapse. ■ A REPORT FROM NEWCASTLE. THE MEN RESUMING. SYDNEY, February 13. (Received Feb. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) It is reported. that the Newcastle timber workers have resumed Under, the 44-hour, week conditions. TROUBLE AT MELBOURNE. . VOLUNTEER DRIVERS STONED. ■ r MELBOURNE, February 13. (Received Feb. 13, at 11 p.m.) There were lively scenes to-day at the south wharf,. .where volunteer . drivers were stoned by unionist strikers from the timber yards. The police took a hand.and discharged revolvers over the heads of the disturbers. A policeman chased one assailant half a mile and caught him in a waterside office, and dragged him out. NEWCASTLE BACK TO NORMAL. A 44-HOUR WEEK. SYDNEY, February 13. (Received Feb. 13,.at 11 p.m.) Trades Hall officials declare that they are not perturbed by the timber merchants’ threat to engage free labour anil they are of opinion that they will not get much of a response. The union officials add that they have been advised that the majority of the Newcastle yards have reverted to the 44-hour week, and that all the men have been re-engaged.