A MENACING OUTLOOK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1642, 20 May 1919, Page 4

A MENACING OUTLOOK.

VICTORIAN SEAMEN STRIKE. TROUBLE MAY SPREAD. Bu Cable — Frets Association — Covyrigkt. MELBOURNE, May 19. The shipping strike has extended to Victoria. As the interstate steamers arrive, the members of the Victorian Seamen's Union are giving 24 hours' notice to leave the vessels. Numbers of coastal vessels are already hung up. As the strike now embraces two States—Queensland and Victoria—it comes within the ambit of the Federal Arbitration Court, which will possibly intervene. It is feared the trouble will extend to other States. The Tasmanian route is already affected by the Melbourne stoppage. SERIOUS DEVELOPMENT. (Rec. May 20. 11.5) MELBOURNE, May 20. Practically the whole of the Melbourne shipping is now idle. The most serious development threatening is a strike of wharf labourers. A conference of the latter and the seamen is discussing a proposal for a temporary alliance of the two bodies to further their respective claims. It. is understood that the Seamen's Union is net financially strong, and the South Australian members are determined not to be made to pay for a mistake which they have condemned from the outset. The South Australian representative is at present in Melbourne taking action to protect the funds of his branch from any levy which may be attempted. It is stated that an application for a High Court injunction is contemplated. . . ARBITRATION WANTED. (Roc. May 20, 11.5) ADELAIDE, May 20. The Seamen's Union has carried a motion deprecating the action of the Executive Council in calling a strike, and expressing the opinion that all disputes should be referred to arbitafion. SYDNEY'S DISCUSSIONS. SYDNEY, May 19. The waterside workers are discussing the Melbourne movement, but, so far, nothing has transpired. SEAMEN ACTING. (Rec. May 20, 11.5) SYDNEY, May 20. The seamen have called a stopwork meeting to-day, to discuss the strike attitude. A coalTamine. (Rec. May 20, 11.5) MELBOURNE. May 20. The coal situation in Victoria is serious, and if supplies are stopped as a result of the seamen's strike it will be necessary to close all factories using.coal fuel for electricity. The Coal Board has already refused all applications for supplies, and has prohibited the sale for household purposes. BROKEN HILL DISPUTE. (Rec. May 20, 11.5) SYDNEY, May 20. The Broken Hill mining dispute is more serious. The unionists are threatening, unless all men cease work immediately, that the mines will be picketed.