CABLE NEWS WATERSIDE WORKERS’ STRIKE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2139, 14 March 1908, Page 3

CABLE NEWS

WATERSIDE WORKERS’ STRIKE.

developments anxiously AWAITED. CARTERS AND SEAMEN MAY JOIN THE STRIKERS. United Press Association—Copyright SYDNEY, March 13. There are many rumors in regard to strike developments, but both sides are reticent. A meeting was held yesterday by tho Board of Conciliation, consisting of representatives of the Inter-State Steamship Owners Association and Waterside Workers Union. It is understood the men asked the owners to bring pressure to bear on a certain company by refusing it cargoes, but this was declined. The coastal companies state they are determined to continue working cnsual and other hands. The men state they have no fear of free labor being engaged to take the place of strikers. They assort that if non-union-ists or seamen are employed to work cargo, tho Carters and Seamens Union will join tho strike. At present there are 5S inter-Stat-o oversea vessels in port. Amongst those affected arc the Tyser liner Star of New Zealand, which arrived yesterday. She may be able to finish loading to-dav or to-morrow. The strike at Newcastle is causing delay to many vessels. It is reported an effort is being made to induce the coal lumpers to join. So far the strike has had little effect in other States. Developments nro anxiously awaited. Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 13. The wharf laborers trouble at Sydney is likely to affect the Union Co. indirectly. Tho Shipowners Federation of Australia meet at Melbourne to-day to consider tho matter. Tho feeling in shipping circles here is that there is a possibility of work being resumed to-morrow.

SERIOUS DEADLOCK EXPECTED MANY VESSELS DELAYED. COAL LUMPERS KNOCK OFF. (Recoired March 13, 11.58 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 13.

Tho strike nositiou has undergone little change, but tho evidence of a serious deadlock is more pronounced than yesterday. The principal wharves to a large extent were deserted, and practically all trade excepting the fruit industry is feeling the pinch. Three coastal companies still remain unaffected, and a tacit understanding exists among the casual free laborers to abide by the Arbitration Court award, under the terms of which tho coastal companies are working. As the men clear one vessel, they go the wharves of the other coastal companies and assist them. The inter-State lines are employing the crows of vessels, delivery clerks, and other permanent hands, to unship perishable consignments, but the unionists take no objection to this procedure. Little attempt so far has been made to shift any of tho ordinary cargo. The Huddart-Parker’s W estralia brought 900 boxes of fruit requiring immediate handling, but the pickets induced the few permanent hands to leave work, and the crew are now discharging the fruit, and the consignees are handling it themselves after it reaches the wharf. An indication of the possible developments was given in connection with the coaling of the Suevic. The. coal lumpers kuocked off work, and refused to return until a number of non-unionists were discharged. (Received March 14, 12.56 a.m.) The Miowera’s departure has been postponed from Saturday till 4 on Monday afternoon. • _ . The steamer Yongala, from Brisbane, resumed her voyago to Melbourne without discharging the Sydney portion of her cargo, and the Japanese mail steamer Kama no Maru is in a similar predicament, and leaves undischarged for Melbourne tomorrow. ■ , , , Arrivals to-day added several vessels to the long list of those tied up.