THE WATERSIDE DISPUTE

Otago Witness, Issue 3890, 2 October 1928, Page 31

THE WATERSIDE DISPUTE

TRANSPORT WORKERS ACT. CANBERRA, September 25. The Federal Government is gazetting the regulations under the Transport Workers Act immediately. Under the regulations all men seeking employment on the waterfront will be compelled to register. If they refuse to work under the conditions of the award registration will be cancelled and they will not then be able to secure employment on the waterfront. — The Government maintains that if it was to allow the strikers to return to work on the old conditions there would be no guarantee that they would remain at work or that the chaotic conditions in the industry would be ended. The Government has guaranteed all volunteers full protection during the strike and continued employment and protection after the strike is over. The main idea behind the Government’s action is to bring about a condition of stability in the maritime industry and if the act is- applied generally to all waterside workers in the event of a future strike it will have gone a long way towards solving the waterside industrial problem. ' REGISTRATION TO BE FOUGHT. BRISBANE, September 26. There has been a sudden development in the waterside situation, the strikers having decided by a secret ballot to resume work. Meanwhile over 1000 volunteers are employed on the wharves under police protection. Work is proceeding smoothly at Cairns and Townsville. POSITION AT SYDNEY. SYDNEY, September 26. The weekly meeting of the Waterside Workers’ Federation decided to work all vessels arriving at Sydney, whether loaded by volunteer labour in other ports or not. STRIKE ENDED AT ADELAIDE. ADELAIDE, September 26 The waterside workers have declared the strike off and have decided to return to work under Mr Justice Beeby’s award. HOBART BACK TO NORMAL. HOBART. September 26. All the members of the Waterside Workers’ Federation are now working under Mr Justice Beeby’s award. LOADING OF SUGARCANE. BRISBANE,. September 26. A meeting of canegrowers at Mackay decided to offer their services to facilitate the loading and despatch of sugar cane from Mackay. THE REGISTRATION ISSUE. MELBOURNE, September 20. The committee of oversea and interstate shipowners decided to stand by the volunteers who are now working the ships, although there has as yet been no definite promise that the volunteers • will be given preference under the provisions of the new Transport Bill. A combined maritime, waterside, and transport unions’ conference, in conjunction with the Australian and New Zealand Council of Trades Unions, agreed that the challenge of the Government that the men must register for work ir. the maritime industry be accepted. The speakers admitted that the whole maritime organisation must now join issue on this question, which is described as the conscription of labour. It was also decided to test the constitutionality of the Act. Meanwhile the conference agreed that the waterside workers should he asked to resume at all ports under Mr Justice Beeby’s award, thus showing that they are abiding by the decision of their own federation,' and so enable, the whole union movement to fight the Federal Government on the registration issue. The only hope of averting a general fight on the waterfront is that the negp tiations at present proceeding with the oversea shipowners and the Government may result in thO Government withdrawing the regulations proclaimed under the Transport Act. EFFICIENCY OF VOLUNTEERS; SYDNEY, September 26. A statement issued-..by the Oversea Shipping Representatives’ Association says that the ship owners realise that if public-spirited volunteers had not answered their appeal the disastrous strike on the waterfront might have continued indefinitely, plunging the Commonwealth into chaos comi>grablc only to an invasion. The statement continues: “Is the control of oversea and interstate shipping to be handed back to a union which has shown itself utterly helpless? If so, it is possible to count the weeks between peace l and renewed warfare. Expecting those in the so-called control of the waterside workers to honour any award or agreement is to credit the impossible, and one might as well ask a professional incendiarist to turn fireman. Volunteer labour has proved to the entire satisfaction of Australia that. Mr Justice Beeby spoke truly when he said of waterside work that it was by no means the hardest work in the community, and that tire accepted policy of the Waterside Workers’ Federation was to spin out the job.— The statement concludes: “The results achieved - by willing amateurs should be an eye-opener to the general public.

MILITANTS IN BRISBANE. BRISBANE, September 26. There has been an amazing developmefit in the waterside dispute. The mass meeting of waterside workers yesterday, by a secret ballot, decided to return to work, but it has now been decided to reverse that decision and endeavour to induce all ports, all transport unions, and all waterside workers, at a conference on Friday next, officially to declare a State-wide strike. The ballot decision was rejected on the ground that some voting papers were destroyed, but no proposal was made for a further ballot, the militants having complete control of the meeting. SEAMEN AT MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, September 26. A meeting of seamen reaffirmed the decision not to man ships loaded or unloaded by free labour, and the engineers were compelled to keep steam up • on several vessels. The owners are now making plans to enrol volunteer seamen. PROVISIONS OF NEW ACT. CANBERRA, September 27. In explaining the regulations under the new Transport Workers Act, Mr Bruce said that these would be administered by the Marine Department of Trade and Customs, which would issue licenses to all persons desiring employment at ports where volunteer labour had been engaged, and no person without a license would in future obtain employment as a waterside worker. Steps had already been taken to apply the regulations to, the ports of Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Fremantle, where Mr Justice Beeby’s award was being flouted, but not at Sydney, Newcastle, or Albany, where the Waterside Federation’s members were observing the award. The 'conviction of any licensed person for assault on a fellow-worker would result in the cancellation of his license, while without a license he would be unable to obtain work on the waterfront. RAILWAYMEN AT BOWEN. CANBERRA, September 27. A Bowen message states that three more railwaymen have been dismissed by the Queensland Government for refusing duty. RIOT AT PORT ADELAIDE. ADELAIDE, September 27. The waterside workers took charge of Port Adelaide, marching in procession from the Trades Hal over Robinson’s bridge, where the police made no attempt to prevent them from reaching the free labour bureau. On reaching there the strikers swarmed over the closed gates and chased the volunteers, who ran in all directions. There were many fights, but the free labourers, after being thrashed, were allowed to escape. The strikers then marched to three vessels which were loading at the wharves. The police here made an effort to disperse the men, and, with the help of reinforcements, they finally broke the ranks of the rioters. During the disturbance the strikers swarmed up the gangway of the steamer Nardana and started working the •winches and moving the cargo, while others tried to loosen the lines holding the vessel to the wharf. They desisted, however, when other rioters objected. The strikers, who were armed ■with pieces of timber and metal, attacked the volunteers who were working the Nardana and chased them into the wharf sheds. They also attempted to board the German steamer Hanau, but the ship’s officers, armed with revolvers and truncheons, kept them at a distance, from which they bombarded the volunteers on deck with, a volley of stones and coal, severely injuring nine before the remainder were ordered to get under the hatches. If union officials had not taken control of the situation there would have been no limit to the injuries and danger to human life. The strikers were too numerous for the police to deal with. During the height of the disturbance a body of 60 free labourers marched from the wharf, having been granted safe con duct on condition that they left work. When the strikers attacked the vessels many volunteers jumped overboard and swam across the river to Birkenhead, am in an incredibly short time there was not a single volunteer in sight of any of the vessels. A large contingent*of police from Adelaide is now on the scene of the dii turbance, and the conditions are quiet. THE OWNERS DETERMINED. MELBOURNE, September 27. After interviewing the Premier (Mr E. J. Hogan), the delegates from the mari time transport conference stated that the only possibility for a settlement of the dispute was the withdrawal by the Federal Government of the registration regulations. A meeting of the ship owners informed Mr Hogan that there could be no negotiations for a settlement until the men re turned to work under Mr Justice Beeby’s award in every port of the Commonwealth. POSITION AT BRISBANE. < BRISBANE, September - When the steamer Goondi arrived at Goondi Mill wharf to load the crew stated that they were unwilling to rig the tackle,, and that they would not take the vessel to sea if she were loaded by /farmers. — — - The owners dismissed the whole crew, and the farmers are now loading the ship and will man her for Cairns.

FURTHER DISTURBANCES. ADELAIDE, September 28. Following the disturbances on' the wharves, the Premier (Mr Butler) has issued a proclamation that a State of national crisis exists. There were further disturbances to-day, 2000 waterside workers coming into conflict with the police when they attempted again to march to the wharves. The police, who were in strong force, drew their batons, and, after a struggle in which many of the strikers were injured, prevented ' the waterside workers from crossing Robinson’s 'bridge, en route to the “wharves. The strikers returned to the attack, and by force of numbers thrust the police aside and swarmed across the bridge. The police were strongly ■ reinforced, and finally dispersed the rioters. Many volunteers were sworn in to-daj’ as special constables. FREE LABOUR AT BRISBANE. BRISBANE. September 28. More than sufficient free labour is offering at Brisbane. POSITION IN QUEENSLAND. BRISBANE, September 28. The waterside workers’ conference decided to call a strike of all waterside workers throughout Queensland. COUNCIL OF TRADES UNIONS. MELBOURNE, September 28. The Australasian Council of Trades Unions at a meeting decided to issue instructions to wharf labourers in all States not to register under the new Transport Act. This is apparently the first move in a struggle that is likely to embroil the whole Comonwealth in the greatest strike that has ever been experienced. MOB RULE OR LAW AND ORDER. ADELAIDE, September 28. Immediately after the Premier’s proclamation declaring that a state of national crisis existed, 500 men of the Essential Services Organisation, which was formed with the object of opposing lawlessness, were sworn in as special constables, and supplied with rifles. They were sent to the military parade grounds and drilled under former military officers. Detachments of men were later sent to Port Adelaide.

The whole waterfront is now quiet, but no work is being carried out on any vessel. A number of volunteer workers were again enrolled, but it is not expected that work will be resumed before Monday. The Premier’s proclamation states that arrangements have been made for work on the waterfront to be resumed on Monday. Meanwhile the police force in South Australia has been augmented to provide the necessary protection to ensure the safety of all persons loading or unloading ships, or otherwise engaged in the transport service. The Government accepted the offer made by the Essential Services Maintenance Association, whose members requested that they should be allowed to report immediately. The Commonwealth Government’s scheme for the registration of all workers will be inaugurated on Monday, and the Government will call upon all persons willing to assist in the time of national crisis to offer their _ services immediately. The issue is mob rule or constitutional Government. s The Government, with all the force at its command, will see that the rights of the citizens are upheld. There is no excuse for the action of the strikers, who openly defied the law, and so forfeited all sympathy. HOLDING-UP OF WOOL SALES. SYDNEY, September 28. Mr Bruce, referring to the waterside strike, said that the holding up of the wool sales through the strike was a national tragedy. The Federal Government was determined to take every action to ensure the continuance of the maritime services, and would use every power to prosecute people who interfered. Mr Bruce was referring to a motion carried by the Sydney Labour Council that it would support the South Australian strikers and would urge drastic action in connection with the Transport Workers Act. Mr Bruce continued that the action of the Labour Council was a direct incentive to defy a law passed by the representatives of the people in the Parliament of the Commonwealth. Action of this kind should bring realisation to the whole of the people of Australia of how necessary it was that the Government should have taken every step to ensure the law of the land being obeyed and the authority of Parliament maintained. A statement issued by the Shipowners’ Association says that mob law on the Adelaide waterfront is merely an exaggeration of the conditions under which the shipowners have been carrying on their industry for years past. The same brute force tactics, applied as domestic rules, have wrested ruinous concessions under bitter protest from the owners, who were reluctant to tie up Australian and overseas shipping. The rioters misjudged the spirit ’of the volunteers and the owners if they believed that violence would achieve any purpose but the strengthening of the determination to see this thing through. The waterfront at Sydney is quiet. Several vessels loaded by volunteer labour at other ports are being loaded by unionists.

SENSATION IN MELBOURNE. BOMB OUTRAGES IN SUBURBS. MELBOURNE, September 29. Bomb outrages occurred at midnight, attempts apparently having „hpen made by strikers to destroy the homes of two foremen employed by the Victorian Stevedoring Company, situated in South Mel-, bourne. The occupants of both cottages had remarkable escapes from injuryPolice guards have been placed over the homes of the other foremen. - The first explosion occurred at the home of Otto Eichorn. The inmates were startled by a terrific bang, followed by falling timber and glass and smoke, which attracted neighbours to the scene. Mrs Eichorn, who was in the rear of the cottage, hurried to the bedroom and rescued the two children, eight years and two years of age respectively. She discovered that the room had been partially wrecked, and that the ceiling was tumbling down. She is suffering greatly from shock, and had to receive medical attention. The second explosion followed 3U minutes later, about a mile away, at the home of William O’Connor. The whole front of the building was wrecked. O’Connor and his wife and children were asleep at the time. Mrs O’Connor, who was thrown out of bed, became hysterical. There were scenes of great commotionPolice patrols are searching for two men who..were seen driving a car slowly past both cottages earlier in the evening They were suspected of having placed jam tin bombs on the verandahs. The whole neighbourhood is in a state of terror. THE PREMIER’S STATEMENT. MELBOURNE, September 29. In expressing horror at the bomb outrages, the Premier (Mr Hogan) said that ample police protection had been arranged to maintain peace. The conference of union representatives, discussing the strike, emphatically denounced the outrage, members stating that the men on strike were not associated with the dastardly “act. POSITION AT FREMANTLE. FREMANTLE, September 29. By a big majority the waterside workers at Fremantle decided to offer for employment under the Beeby award. ARMED MEN AT ADELAIDE. ADELAIDE, September 29. The organisation of the Citizens’ Defence Brigade is proceeding smoothly, and it is estimated that 2000 men, armed with rifles and bayonets, will be ready next .week to cope with any further disturbances on the waterfront. Over 1000 men have already enrolled. No ammunition has been issued, however, and the bolts of the rifles have been removed. The city is in a state of excitement. Motor car loads of armed volunteers are parading in the vicinity of the waterfront. The Premier has announced that no additional volunteer labour will be engaged on Monday until the strikers have had an opportunity to register under the Transport Act. The Commonwealth and State Governments have given an undertaking that volunteer labourers will not be victimised. LARGE FACTORY CLOSING. ADELAIDE, September 29. As a result of the strike, Holden’s motor body buildin- works are closing on Monday, rendering 1500 men idle. ITEMS FROM BRISBANE. BRISBANE, September 29. The police raided the Communist rooms at the Trades Hall, but seized no documenta. The Seamen’s Union has decided to support the waterside workers in whatever action they take. SPECIAL MEETING OiF COMMONWEALTH CABINET. CANBERRA, September 29A special Cabinet meeting will be held on ■ Monday to discuss the strike position. MR WALSH’S VIEWS. WARNING TO UNIONISTS. LONDON, September 29. Tire Morning Post states that Walsh warns the trade unionists in Australia that they are being used as tools to the injury of their country and the Empire. Whatever may be the instigation of the present violence, he says, it is clear an attempt is being made to terrorise the free people of Australia into submission to an ugly form of tyranny. The Commonwealth has suffered often and long from such attempts. It seems the time has come to make a stand. The terrorists may find they are up against not only the Government but also the public.

Fourteen bankruptcies, of which nine were in the North Island, were notified in the latest issue of the New Zealand Gazette. The popularity of athletics among the women in England is referred to by Mr H. Amos, manager of the New Zealand team which competed at the Olympic Games, in one of his reports to the New Zealand Olympic Council. "“ At ths Middlesex meeting,” he states, “ there must have been over 200 competitors. The programme included every variety of competition—22o yards, 440 yards, half-mile (the longest), walking, jumping, hurdling, putting the shot, relays, etc., and the performances were distinctly good. Two world records were broken, Miss Marjorie Clark, of South Africa, cleared sft 3in in the high jump, and Miss Hitomi, of Japan, reached 18ft 4in in the long jump. Both these girls are very good; they are well built and- proportioned, and have very attractive styles.” Everywhere that the Tasman flyers have gone in New Zealand, people in the crowds gathered to meet them have wanted something tangible to remember them by. Squadron-Leader KingsfordSmith, as is well'known, lost Felix, his cat, in Christchurch, but that souvenir hunter was honest and returned the mascot when the airman made public his loss. At Wanganui, a travel-stained Australian flag, which “ Smithy ” has carried with him on all his record-breaking flights, was taken from the car in which he drove from the landing ground to his hotel. Other lesser instances of memento hunters’ enthusiastic pursuit of anything connected with the aviators are given in Wanganui newspapers. During the official welcome, Flight-Lieutenant Ulm dropped the cigarette he was smoking. A young admirer carefully put the butt in his pocket. Someone presented Kingsford-Smith with an apple. “ Give you an imitation of Adam,” said “ Smithy ” as he took a large bite. Later when the speech-mak-ing commenced, a young lady had her eye on the core of the apple, and lifting it off the table, she remarked, “ Here, dad, put it in your pocket.” And dad did. Perhaps he will grow a new brand of apple tree from the pips. An interesting old apprenticeship indenture has been discovered in Blenheim (says the Marlborough Express). The property of Mr J. A. Bottrell, of Maxwell road, it is a document that is now 105 years old, and relates to the apprenticeship of Mr Bottrell’s father to the boot and shoemaker’s and cordwainer’s trade in Penzance, Cornwall, England. The master’s name was William Tresider, and the indenture signed ofi February 2, 1823, in the third year of the reign of George IV, was witnessed by James Beckerlea. Bearing an embossed £1 stamp, the indenture provided that the apprentice should be bound to his master for a period of six years. His master undertook to provide him with shoes and aprons. No wages were payable during the first year of apprenticeship, but in the second year the apprentice received 2s a week, with an increase of 6d per week at the beginning of every succeeding year until the last year of apprenticeship, when ho became a person of comparative wealth, receiving 4s 6d a week! The old document is in a good state of preservation, and is a treasured family relic. “The form of burial on Bali (an island near Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies), is perhaps the most extraordinary in the world,” said Mr Ethelbert Hales, the exWellington actor, now visiting his home town. “ When an ordinary person dies he is not buried or burnt immediately, but the body is embalmed, and stowed away inside a great mimic bull —a representation of the sacred bull of India. A woman misfit be kent in that wav for six

“The form of burial on Bali (an island near Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies), is perhaps the most extraordinary in the world,” said Mr Ethelbert Hales, the exWellington actor, now visiting his home town. “ When an ordinary person dies he is not buried or burnt immediately, but the body is embalmed, and stowed away inside a great mimic bull —a representation of the sacred bull of India. A woman might be kept in that way for six months or more. It all depends. These burials must not take place in an offhand way. The usual practice is to wait until some rich man or woman dies, and then all the others who have dead relatives stored in the sacred bull, sort of ‘ chip in ’ to make one grand event of it—or sort of orgy or festival, which might cost the rich many guilders, but the rest get off scot free. By the time this happens this stupid-looking mock bull is richly caparisoned, and presents a very georgeous sight in its pagoda-like stable, and is then regarded with great veneration by the people.”

There were 114 bankruptcies in Auckland during the nine months ended September. In the corresponding period of 1927 the total was 162 (says our special correspondent), and' for the nine months of 1926 the figure was 133.

The £1‘,000,000 mark in the value of building permits issued by the Auck« land City Council for the nine months of the present year (says our special correspondent) was topped as the result of September’s activity in the trade. The total this year stands at'£1,037,332, against £957,960 last year. This total does not include £326,000 for the new railway station contract.

From Rissington (Hawke’s Bay) comes the story of a young man - who had been heard to wonder what was the sensation accompanying a knock-out blow, and whose curiosity was gratified in a strange but very convincing manner. While riding his horse over a stretch of rough country, the animal put one of its forefeet in a hole, throwing the young man forward. In attempting to recover itself the horse threw up its head and hit the rider on the side of the jaw, the effect on the recipient being immediate and profound unconsciousness, and a fall from the,horse of which he was totally unaware. After a few seconds he awoke, remounted his steed and continued his journey, none the worse for his enforced 40 wintai. “Now I know the sensation of a knock-out,” he said. “There’s no sensation at all!”