WHARF LABOURERS' STRIKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143626, 20 October 1911, Page 3

WHARF LABOURERS' STRIKE.

INTER-STATE SHIPPING. IN DANGER OF PARALYSIS. By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. SYDNEY, Oct. 19. The wharf labourers employed in the coastal trade and on tho inter-State wharves struck lor an increase of wages to Is 6d an hour and 2s 3d for overtime, the same rales as recently obtained hy deep-sea men. Several steamers are held up, including tho Union Company's Palouna. Tho strike is the outcome of a resolution carried a fortnight ago. The intention was to demand an increase, hut no date was fixed to enforce A, and no ollicial luuiicatiou was given to the shijioivncrs, to whom tin strike came us ■ a surprise. Only .he. vessels which arrived since last night are so far atiected, as work on those partially unloaded m being completed. Ncgui iai ions, are procecding re tween the companies involved and the whan labourers oiuciais. The shipowners point -out that less than two months ago they levelled up the coast id whan labourers’ wages to " tii-iHeol deep-sea lahourei.-, viz., 1 >d per hour and 2s overtime. 'The deep-sea men claimed that they w.-re emitted u> 1 ingr.er inter, than the tvn.'-lai men. nnd secured an advance to Is da ami _'s 3d, wuich the coastal men m v. demand. i f.'.' principal companies so iar snorted by ihe Mni:> ere: Hi .Mar,, Pal her and Co., the Iliawarrn and ."south Coa.-t toaipsny. iho Newcastle ami Unni-d River Company, and tho Colon Coiupany. No attempt was made to iinloari ve;tels arriving to-day, and the jKslioy o: tying up arrivals will lontimte. Vnle.-a a settlement is speedily reached the whole countal inter-.StnU- shipping will be brought to a standstill. Everything is quiet. Both sides are reticent. The moo are very firm in their demands. Negotiations are proceeding. The shipowners slate they can do nothing until they have consulted their principals in the oilier States. Important deveiopmoms arc probable within the next day or two. The laxmgana and Koitongaia, Union Company . steamers, are affected. A RECENT AGREEMENT BROKEN. ; (Received Oct, 20, 9.45 a.m.) ; SYDNEY. Oct. 20. The crews ami permanent hands re- ■ moved the perishable portion of erriv- 1 iug steamers' cargoes. No attempt was made to touch the general In-ding. The Adelaide ami Melbourne Steamship Companies are amongst those affected. TTio latter company’s steamer Sydney sailed without cargo. To-day's arrivals will add considerable to tho list of vessels tied up. fhe masters point out flint an agree- i merit with a currency of three years wax recently signed with tho wharf labourers, providing for tit Is 3d rate. This had boon broken without notice. ' Fear was expressed that, if tho demands of the coastal labourers were conceded the deep sea men would demand an increase to the extent of extra amount they at present received. Tho Waterside Workers’ Federation meets at Melbourne to-morrow to discuss the situation. I