SHIPS DELAYED IN SYDNEY

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 March 1947, Page 5

SHIPS DELAYED IN SYDNEY

WATERSIDERS ENFORCE STRIKE CONDITIONS

Reel. 10.30 p.m. Sydney, March 11 The waterfront to-day presented a scene of idle ships and deserted wharves as the watersiders enforced total strike conditions. It is estimated that by the end of the day the total accumulation of inter-State and overseas cargo in Sydney will exceed 150,000 tons.

The result of the telegraphic vote oi members of the Waterside Workers’ Federation as to whether overtime should be banned throughout Australian ports should be known late tonight. While the strike continues the turn-around of food ships for Britain will be lengthened, and exports of wool and sheepskins to Britain and the Continent will be delayed. Ships will be diverted from Sydney whenever possible, and the discharge of urgently needed overseas goods will be held up. Inter-State ships will be unable to lift 500,000 tons of wheat from southern States for northern New South Wales and Queensland; timber, potatoes and apples from Tasmania will not reach New South Wales, and timber and sugar from Queensland will be held up. Already vessels are anchoring in the stream because of congestion at the wharves. The Army transport Manoora is completing her loading with the assistance of soldiers and naval ratings.