STEEL DISPUTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 265, 9 November 1945, Page 5

STEEL DISPUTES

MODERATES MAY OUTVOTE MILITANTS INDUSTRIAL TROUBLES IN AUSTRALIA Recd. 9.45 p.m. Sydney, Nov. 8. Moderates at Trades Hail believe they have the numbers to defeat the militants in the fight which is developing to control the‘current big steel disputes at Port Kembla and Newcastle. A win by the militants would mean, it is believed, extension of the current disputes into a general strike for the 40-hour week. A test of strength is expected at the Labour Council meeting to-night. In recent tests the moderates have outvoted the militants. As both sides marshal thenresources for the fight about: 21,000 are idle in New South Wales as a result of Industrial disputes. The grimmest industrial outlook in years will face Australia by the New Year unless current disputes are settled.

Factors responsible for this position are, firstly, the tie-up of the steel and heavy industries at: Newcastle and Port Kembla. now linked with the 40hour week fight; secondly, extension of the Newcastle dispute to the sea transport of coal, which affects particularly other States dependent on New South Wales coal; thirdly, the decision of the miners to take a ten days’ holiday at Christmas in spite of warnings that industry will not be able to cafry on and inter-State services will suffer. More than 1,500.000 tons of coal have been lost by stoppages in New South Wales this year The strikers at Port Kembla are now considering Mr. Justice Cantor's decision upholding the dismissal hv the Australian Iron and Steel Company of a shoo delegate, it was the dismissal of this man that started the strike. The dispute at the Newcastle steelworks is holding up the despatch of 62,000 tons of coal in nine shins to Victoria and South Australia. Broken Hill Proprietary staff labour was unloading ore from ships to-dav, but union labour is refusing to scoop the residue of the ore from the ships, which must he done before coal is loaded. Eleven mines are idle to-day for a coal loss of 9000 tons. A compulsory conference on the Broken Hill Proprietary strike was held in Newcastle vesterday, but under great difficulties for Mr. justice Cantor, who presided. Hooting and booing, 200 striking iron-workers from the Broken Hill Proprietary, caur.ed pandemonium at the conference. At a signal from a count leader, they jeered and counted out Mr. Justice Cantor when he arrived at the conference venue. Immediately the Jud_ge adjourned the conference to a nearby courthouse. The men then surged towards the court-house, hooting as they went. At the court-house Mr. Justice Cantor adjourned the hearing to chambers, and the Court was cleared. No attempt was made to molest the Judge, or any of the company officials who attended the conference. Trade union and other worker’s officials were cheered.