AUSTRALIAN CONFLICT.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16788, 4 May 1926, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN CONFLICT.

CLASH OF AWARDS. the nouns 1 dispute. MANY OUT OF WORK. (United Press Association.) SYDNEY, May 3. As was anticipated, .the strike in the iron trades over the iS hours' week and Federal awards was fairly launched Lids morning. When men who had absented themselves from work on Saturday arrived and reported l'or duty I hey were dismissed in accordance Willi notices which had previously been posted at the various workshops.

The men reported upon instructions from llieir unions, and. expecting the answer lliey received, they accepted the position quietly. In most cases they were paid off. In some instances mutual regret was expressed over the position that had arisen. Both sides explained that (hey were obeying decisions readied by their controlling organisations.

The employers are reticent regarding tlie trouble. A statement issued this afternoon on behalf of the Moial Trades Employers' Association says all that Iho employers have to say at present is that they have registered their protest against the action of members of unions in refusing to observe the awards. 11 is hoped that the unions will see the folly of their actions and listen to reason. Officials of affected unions have been in session throughout the day to receive reports and consider the position. An official announcement was made yesterday that all claims for a ii-hours' week lodged in the Federal Arbitration Court by Wednesday will be dealt with next week. The question or lodging such applications and olher matters will be dealt with as the situation develops. On behalf of the unions it is claimed that the men are locked out.

According to union reports only 20 city and suburban firms to-day dismissed I heir employees. The unions claim that a number of nlhcrs defied the Metal Traders' Association's order, ami conceded the claims of the men. On the other hand, it is slated on behalf of employers that in some shops the men defied the unions and continued to work.

So far there has been no suggestion of a conference from cither side. It is impossible to give anything like a definite estimate of llic number of men who are affected by the ironworkers' strike. According to a Trades Hail estimate 3000 men have been discharged and from 20,000 to 25,000 others will be directly or indirectly affected.

Most of the unions have already taken steps to apply to Hie Federal Arbitration Court for variations in their wards to secure a i'l-hours' week.