PREMIER WARMS STRIKERS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1928, Page 13

PREMIER WARMS STRIKERS

GRAVE SUFFERING CAUSED COMMAND TO MAN THE SHIPS REPLY IMPLIES DEFIANCE ADVICE TO EXTEND DISPUTE By Telegraph—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian Press Association. Sydney, Oct. 12. Declaring the waterside dispute is causing grave suffering and loss throughout th© Commonwealth and that the Government cannot allow the continuance of such conditions, the Prime Minister, who is closely watching the strike developments, has sent a warning telegram to the Seamen’s Union headquarters in Sydney. "Th© Government therefore calls upon the union to take action to ensure that inter-Stat© steamers shall be manned,” the message concludes. “As this matter is one of great urgency an early reply to this telegram is desired.” The telegram was before the Labour Council, ’ and, after hearing Mr. Garden's report of th© Melbourne union conference, it was resolved: “This conference calls upon the central strike committee to bring into force immediately the decision of that conference,” which in effect means that the Trades Union Council should extend the dispute to other ports. A mass meeting of the Watcrsiders’ Federation at Melbourne to-day refused to obey tho central committee’s instruction to make out licenses to resume work. The men will join the seamen’s mass meeting on Sunday.

The Ulimaroa’s departure for Wellington, was delayed to-day owing to the seamen not answering a call for three men. The ship, carrying 283 passengers and considerable cargo, was ready to sail at noon, but th© vacancies in the crew caused the hold-up. She finally sailed at 6 o’clock.

The signing of crews for the steamers Corio and Makambo were also delayed, though it is anticipated that when the Seamen’s Union meeting ends there will be no difficulty in filling all the places.