A HOPELESS FIGHT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16772, 11 October 1928, Page 7

A HOPELESS FIGHT

THE AUSTRALIAN STRIKE UNIONIST OPPOSITION (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) MELBOURNE, October 10. The plans being made hv the central strike committee to withdraw members of the Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association from tugboats and lighters are, unlikely to succeed, as these men have already opposed the strike. The carters meet to-night but it is believed that they, instead of resolving to join the strike instantly', will demand that the watersiders should first- take a secret ballot of their own members to see if they really favor continuing what is regarded as a hopeless fight. While a mass meeting of strikers was in progress this morning, 1900 volunteers were working 30 oversea and interstate ships. Over 3coo enrolments have been made already, including a number of unionistworkers from Queensland.- There are 26 idle ships in Melbourne. The train service between the city and Port Melbourne was suspended nearly two hours late last- night, owing to the reports that bomb outrages were plahned 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 going home towards midnight when the trains were resumed, travelled with uneasy minds and tense nerves. The line wnsstrongly guarded all night. DISORDERLY MEETING SYDNEY WATERSIDERS SYDNEY, October 10. A meeting of the Watersiders’ Federation in Sydney was marked by exciting moments. Feeling ran high between those favoring am 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 that the men dispersed in disorder.