THE AUSTRALIAN STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 27 October 1911, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIAN STRIKE.

BITTER STRUGGLE IMMINENT. THE MEN FIRM. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, October 20. Directly and indirectly the strike affects 5000 wharf laborers, whereof 2500 lire engaged in the coastal and inter-State trades.

According to the tone of last night's meeting a bitter struggle is imminent. The Shipping Companies declare that they will stand by their rights under the agreements, while the men are practically unanimous. The secretary of the Wharf Laborers' Union communicated the decision of the mass meeting to the Arbitration Court. It is understood that overtures are being made to induce carters and seamen to join the wharf laborers.

The outlook is considered serious in mercantile circles. All departments are likely to be affected. Mr. Hughes, interviewed after the mass meeting, said he was sorry at the result. He hoped the men would realise their mistake and follow the advice <>f the council and himself to return to work under the agreement. He could not believe they were acquainted with the full facts. The Herald says the decision of the meeting has caused bewilderment. It

calls upon the Government to take strong action, if necessary at the point

of the bayonet and muzzle of the revolver. "We are really," says the Herald, "faced with the beginnings of civil war. It must be a desperate day for unionism when three or four thousand men in a single union can declare a great city in a state of siege, also a dark day for labor when the community realise that such a state of things is met by the Government with trepidation, spinelessness and inaction." The Telegraph characterises the strike as an attempt industrially to blackmail the community, and asks how long are Labor Governments going to let organised labor go on in this way without at least trying to protect the public.

STRIKERS RESTLESS. FALLIXG-OUT WITH DEEP SEA MEN Received 2G, 8.55 p.m. Sydney, October 2(1. The strikers are restless owing to the (Veep-sea men working while they are idle. They hold that the deep-sea men should cease work, and complain that they are not giving practical support. This will possibly lead to a split in labor's ranks and the formation of a separate union for deep-sea workers. The companies would welcome such an arrangement. The clerks and seamen continue to handle perishables, including a Tasmanian cargo of six hundred bags of potatoes.

Up to the present the carters have raised no objection to handling such goods. Adelaide, October 2G. The strike is causing much inconvenience in shipping circles, as vessels are leaving without Sydney cargoes. CONFERENCE BREAKS UT\ NOTHING ACCOMPLISHED. Received 2(1, 8.0,5 p.m. Melbourne. October 20. The compulsory conference met and discussed the men's refusal to accept the executive's advice. The conference dissolved, neither side having a proposal to overcome the difficulty. In order to confine the area of the dispute as much as possible, another conference will be summoned between representatives of the Waterside Workers' Federation and the Steamship Owners' Federation in other ports.

MERCHANTS AND STRIKERS. Received 27, 12.10 a.m. Sydney, October 26. A deputation of merchants waited on Mr. Carmiehael and suggested prosecuting the strikers. The Minister replied that the men were working under a Federal agreement, and therefore it was largely a Federal matter. Nevertheless the Government was doing its utmost, and he hoped to soon have something favorable to report. DEEP SEA MEN'S DEMANDS. Received 27. 1 a.m. Sydney, October 26. The union officials state they do not consider likely tlie deep sea men will demand an increase if the inter-State demands are conceded. The question has never been mooted at any meeting. EFFECT IN NEW ZEALAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The strike of the wharf laborers at Sydney is seriously affecting New Zealand merchants, as is seen 'in the fact that no cargo of anv description is to be shipped by the Moana, which is to sail from Wellington at ."> p.m. to-mor-row for Sydney. The direct steamer is at present at Lyttelton. but no cargo for Australia has been loaded at any of the southern ports either. Apart from passengers and whatever bunker coal she may cany the Moana will be an empty ship, a unique happening for the weekly Sydney-Wellington service.