Second Edition. THE STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 76, 29 November 1913, Page 6

Second Edition. THE STRIKE.

f POSITION 'IN AUSTRALIA. A LABOR LEADERS OPINION. STRIKE..MIGHT EASILY SPREAD. CONFUSION OVER "BLACK" GOODS. [Pjsb Pbess (Association.] (Received 9.15 a.m.) Sydney, November 20. Mr W- M. Hughes, member of tlie Federal'Parliament, President of the Transporters' Federation, has summoned a. meeting of the Federation and also a conference of the Federation, the Australian Workers' Union and the Labour Federation. Questioned if he thought the trouble would spread he replied that he would not like to say, but there always was a danger "that in Australiaa fire once alight might spread. Ho was shown a cablegram reporting that the New Zealand Employers' Defence Committee, in reply to the Federation of Labour's offer to accept Sir .Joshua Williams arbitration declined to recognise the Federation or any third party, stating that they will deal only with Arbitration Unions. Mr Hughes said: "If that is really the attitude of employers I am very sorry indeed. A policy of sweet reasonableness is certainly the most desirable and quite apart- from, the rights and wrongs of the original dispute, of winch 1 know nothing. Here is a bdna fide effort made for settlement by peaceful means j by arbitration,, with an assurance by responsible leaders that whatever the decision the men will loyally abide by it. In face of this it is difficult to understand the attitude of the Employers', Defence Committee. However, I decline to believe that the employers .have rejected this proposal of the men." A conference will he held on Monday of the iron traders to consider what action should be taken regarding repairs to New Zealand boats. Some unions outside the Federation of Iron Trades has already decided not to touch these boats. The Tofua's bananas nearly caused trouble at the Darling Harbour goods yards on Thursday. Yesterday the Tofua's bananas were classified as "black" and .Queensland? as "white," Was both are arriving in the railway yards simultaneously the men did not know which was which,, Consequently.the mega.,were half, incljned to take action without consulting the officials of the Union. However, two officials prevented precipitate action. ; The men determined to stand by the resolution qf the, Federation of Labour regarding "black" goods. Their executive meets to-morrow.

PROTECTING FREE LABOR.'

APPEAL FROM *JEW ZEALAND. (Received 10.45 a.m.) Sydney, November 29. Mp Campbell, general secretary of the'N«w South Wales Farmers' and **§N&S&& Association, has received|a cablegram-from Mr Jack, gectetA of ,tl|e. Farmers' Union, WellirigtcJ "Csai| y ; our approacji t|| Government to urge "the importan|e . of-maintaining stealer } connection 'with* New 'Zealand by guaranteeing , protection to workers fading cargo," Mr Holman was absent,"and the cable was.submitted to Mr Cann, who said,: *'The position is very much in the nair , tui«e oL a -problem, particularly at present. All I can say is that we, as

a Government, are sworn to maintain the lair and as occasion arises we shall certainly do our best in that direction."