TIMBER WORKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20643, 15 February 1929, Page 9

TIMBER WORKERS

THE AUSTRALIAN DISPUTE. PLENTY OF FREE LABOUR (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, February 14. Employers in the. timber trade report that at least 10 Sydney firms are working full time on the 48-hours’ week as the result of the call issued yesterday for free labour. Many applications were received from men seeking employment. The move took the union officials by surprise. Mr Corke, secretary .of the Timber Merchants’ Association, denies the statement that many firms are working their staffs on 44 hours. FIRE IN TIMBER STACK. INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. MELBOURNE, February 14. (Received Feb. 14; at 5.5 p.m.) Incendiarism is suspected in connection with a fire which destroyed 2000 feet. of timber which was stacked on the'wharf and the carters and drivers refused to handle; At one time adjacent stacks containing 1,000,000 feet were threatened. ' A RUSH OF VOLUNTEERS. SYDNEY, February 14. . (Received Feb. 14, at 11 p.m.) Mr F. Corke, secretary of the Suburban Timber Merchants’ Association, stated to-day that a number of written applications for volunteer positions in the timber yards exceeded all expectations. The employers were not engaging any -volunteer labour for a few days. The shortage .of timber on building contracts is throwing carpenters and joiners. out of work in all the States, and the number' of unemployed is daily increasing by hundreds.