LABOUR TROUBLES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13433, 21 July 1911, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLES.

THE QUEENSLAND SUGAR STRIKE. Mr. Hughes’ Action Criticised. Press Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright. Received July 21, 9.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 21. Steamship owners consider the position which has arisen over the sugar strike next week. It is considered unnecessary to take immediate action, as a largo quantity of sugar is lying at Queensland ports still to be shipped. There is much comment over the Hon. W. M, Hughes’ attitude. It is argued that he should either resign the AttorneyGeneralship or the presidency of -the Waterside Workers’ Federation. Mr Hughes claims that the Federation has not contravened the Federal Arbitration Act. There is not a strike, and anyhow the Arbitration Court has jurisdiction only over disputes extending beyond one State. Directly anything arises involving an industrial dispute ho will resign the presidency. BRISBANE, July 21. No action has yet beon-'taken by the waterside workers. It is considered significant in connection with the present situation that the .now agreement between steamship owners and the Waterside Workera’ Federation has not yet been signed. The Hon. W. M. Hughes, as president of the Waterside Workers’ Union, has announced that the Wharf Labourers’ and .Seamen’s Unions have decided not to handle non-Union sugar during the currency of the Queensland strike. All sugar will be handled to the 18th, however.