"STRATFORD EVENING POST" FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1928. THE STRIKE ENDS.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 78, 15 June 1928, Page 4

"STRATFORD EVENING POST" FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1928. THE STRIKE ENDS.

THE Australian cooks' strike is over, and it is to be hoped that soon, the normal running of vessels will be resumed. The cooks had to capitulate and agree to the terms set out by the owners, which is usually the case in an upheaval where th e strikers' cause is not a just one. At a meeting of watersiders held i n Sydney 'yesterday it was acknowledged hat it would be suicidal to continue the struggle against th e organised forces of the shipowners, owing to the lack of unity in Australian trade unionism in regard to a course of action concerning volunteer labour. This lack of unity was very apparent and showed clearly that the great mass of the workers were opposed to the strike brought about by the action of a few disgruntled cooks. Again, it may be said that the trouble was kept g°iug by those in charge of the t union, and the fact that they did not have anything like solid support of their members is proved by the dissatisfaction existing in the South Australian and Queensland branches. Up till yesterday the strikers were still making some weak resistance. The owners, however,

were manning tbe ship with volunteer labor, and having public opinion as well as the CommonweaHU U-ov-ernment behind them, could not fail to be successful. Of course the usual intimidation tactics were indulged in, but the quick arrest of a Trades Hall boss subsequent to his ugly remarks about the sea being deep and dead men telling no tales, showed that the authorities were going to stand no nonsense. Perhaps the strikers will now take stock of the position, and realise the futility of the upheaval by which they like other workers and the employers suffered so severely. Thy have received a well merited lesson and would be well advised to take it to heart.