MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN

Southland Times, Issue 25669, 11 May 1945, Page 2

MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN

Sydney Dockworkers’ Strike (Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 9. Earnest hopes for an early settlement of the dockworkers’ dispute on the Sydney waterfront were expressed by Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, Commander in Chief of the British Pacific Fleet at the opening of the Navy Branch of the new British Centre here. More than 3000 dockworkers were on strike as the result of a union dispute.

People should be gravely concerned at the withdrawal of labour from the docks, said Admiral Fraser. He doubted whether the immense importance of docking at this stage of the Pacific war was realised. “I have no responsibility in this matter, but I have a responsibility in ordering my ships to the battle areas, even if they are not in proper repair,” he added. “My officers have nothing but praise for the Australians who have worked aboard our ships.” In the Federal House of Representatives the acting Minister of Defence, Mr J. A. Beasley, said that steps were being taken to prevent British shipping repairs from being delayed by the Sydney dockyard strike.

Mr J. P. Abbott, Country Party, asked whether it was true that British warships, damaged in action near the Ryukyu Islands, south-east of Japan could not be repaired in Sydney because of the strike and had to be diverted elsewhere. Mr Beasley replied that no warships requiring repairs had had to be diverted from tlie Sydney dockyards, but some supply ships had been affected.