TIMBER INDUSTRY

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 38

TIMBER INDUSTRY

THE STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, February 25. The Federal Registrar of the Commonwealth Arbitration Court has, by direction of Air Justice Lukin, ordered the timber workers’ unions throughout Australia to hold a secret ballot to determine whether the men agree with the strike. The ballot will be taken forthwith under the section of the amended Arbitration Act, which was passed during the last session of Parliament at the same time as when the penalties were included in this measure. POSITION IN MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, February 25. Many of the suburban mill owners have armed their loyal workers with revolvers in anticipation of further raids by strikers. The owners themselves have received permission to carry revolvers. OWNERS STANDING EIRM. SYDNEY, February 26. The Timber Mercuants’ Association is standing firm against the strikers, and declares that whatever happens the award must be observed, even if the employees’ secret ballot approves of the continuance of the strike. The employers cannot allow the strike ballot decision to overrule the award. THE CARPENTERS RESTIVE. MELBOURNE, February 26. A mass meeting of carpenters to-day demanded that Mr Justice Lukin should be taken before the Bar of the Federal House to explain his attitude in depriv ing the workers of a 44-hour working week. They also threaten to withdraw all carpenters from existing public works. WOMEN TO ACT AS PICKETS. SYDNEY, February 28. The timber workers’ wives decided to engage in picket duty on the day the secret ballot is being held. The wives’ meeting also decided in favour of a mass demonstration against Mr Justice Lukin’s award next Wednesday. The meeting passed a resolution of sympathy with the two Melbourne women who were fined for assaulting a constable, and condemned “ tlie injustice they received at the hands of the bosses’ courts.”

EXTENSION OF DISPUTE. MELBOURNE, February 28. At a meeting of the council action was proposed for the extension of the timber dispute. The railwaymen’s representatives were present, and these and transporters generaßy are likely to be asked to refuse to handle any goods that have been worked by volunteers ou wharves elsewhere. STRIKERS PAYING NO RENT. SYDNEY, March 1. It is stated that no rents have been paid by the timber workers since the commencement of the dispute, and unless the strikers are compensated for lost time when the strike is over none will be paid. The procedure followed is when a timber worker notifies that his landlord is asking for a settlement, the Disputes Committee has the house watched by pickets, and the presence of these persons prevents landlords from taking further steps. UNION HEAVILY FINED. MELBOURNE, March 1. Mr Justice Lukin to-day, in the Arbitration Court, fined the Timber Workers’ Union the maximum of £lOOO for “ doing something in the nature of a strike.” There was no appearance of the union officials. Evidence was given that notices of a provocative character were posted about the mills, calling on the men employed there to strike and describing Mr Justice Lukin’s award a most infamous award, and charging Mr Justice Lukin with legalising slavery. A hostile demonstration was made outside the court by 2000 strikers, who vigorously hooted Mr Justice Lukin and shouted threatening and insulting words. A strong police cordon barred all the doors when the position took an ugly turn. The police, however, triumphed. FREE LABOUR AT GEELONG. MELBOURNE, March 1. Free labour was engaged by the mill owners at Geelong to-day to handle a large shipment of hardwood. Police protection was provided.