STRONG ACTION NECESSARY

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3359, 27 October 1911, Page 5

STRONG ACTION NECESSARY

AT THE POINT OF THE BAYONET.

FACED WITH CIVIL WAR. EFFECT OF MARITIME STRIKE. (United Press Association —Copyright.) SYDNEY, Oct. 2G. Directly and indirectly the strike affects 5000 wharf laborers, whereof 2500' are engaged in coastal and inter-State trades. According to the tone of last night’s meeting, a bitter struggle is imminent. The shipping companies declare that they will stand by their rights under the agreements, while the men are practically unanimous. Tnc secretary of the Wharf Laborers’ Union communicated the decision of the mass meeting to the Arbitration Court. It is understood that overtures are being made to carters and seamen to join the wharf laborers. The outlook is considered serious in mercantile circles. All departments are likely to be affected. Mr Hughes, interviewed after the mass meeting, said he was sorry at the result. Ho had hoped the men would realise their mistake, and follow the advice of' the Council and himself and return to work under the agreement. Ho could not believe that they were acquainted with the full facts. 'The “Herald” says that the decision of the meeting has caused bewilderment It calls upon the Government to take strong action, if necessary at the point of the bayonet and muzzle of the revolver. “We are really faced with the beginning of a civil war,” it states. “It must be a desperate day for unionism when three or four thousand men, in a single union, can declare a great city in a state of siege. It will also be a dark day for labor when the community realises that such a state of things is met by the Government’s trepidation, spinelessness, and inaction.” The “Telegraph” characterises it as an attempt to industrially blackmail the community. It asks how long are Labor Governments going to let organised labor go on in this way, without at least trying to protect the public? MELBOURNE, Oct. 25. 'Phe conference was further adjourned until to-morrow.

. ADELAIDE, Oct. 26. Ihe strike is causing much inconvenience in shipping circles. Vessels are leaving without Sydney cargoes.

SHIPPING WAGES. SYDNEY, Oct. 26. In connection with the claims of the Seamen’s Union before the Arbitration Court, the socretaiy of the Commonwealth Steamship Association stated that the owners paid £17.5,000 annually in wages. If the increase of wages and remodelling of hours asked were conceded, it would mean an extra expenditure of £57,532. STRIKERS RESTLESS. A SPLIT IN THE RANKS. (Received Oct- 26. 8.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 26. I he strikers are restless owing to the deep sea men working while they are idle. They state the deep sea men \\ ei e with them in voting to cease work, but are not giving practical support, this uiay possibly lead to a split in the ranks, and the formation of a separate union for deep sea workers. The companies would welcome shell arrangements. 'i lie clerks and seamen continue to handle perishable goods, including the Tasmanian cargo of six hundred bags of potatoes. At present the carters have raised no objection to handling such goods. MELBOURNE, Oct. 26. 'Jhe compulsory conference met and discussed the men’s refusal to accept the executive’s advice, and dissolved, neither side having a proposal to overcome the difficulty. In order to confine the area of the dispute as much as possible, andthei: Jconftlrence will be summoned between the representatives of the Waterside Workers’ Federation and the Steamship Owners’ Federation in other ports. PROSECUTION SUGGESTED. A FEDERAL MATTER. (Received Octo. 26, 11.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, Oct. 26. A deputation of merchants waited upon Mr. Carmicheal, and suggested prosecuting the strikers. He replied the men were working under a Federal agreement, and therefore it was largely a Federal matter. Nevertheless, the Government were doing their utmost. He hoped soon lie would have something favorable to report. (Received Oct. 27, 12.30 a-m.) One union’s officials state they do not consider, it likely that the deep sea. men will demand an increase if the inter-State demands were conceded. The question -was never mooted at any meeting.

NEW ZEALAND AFFECTED.

BOATS WITHOUT CARGOES

(For Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 26. Strike of wharf laborers at Sydney is seriously affecting the New Zealand merchants, as is seen in the fact that no cargo of any description is to be shipped by the Moana, which is to sail from Wellington at 5 p.m. to-morrow night- for Sydney direct. Tlie steamer is at present at Lyttelton, but no cargo for Australia has been loaded at any of the southern ports either. Apart from passengers and whatever bunker coil she may carry, the, Moana will thus be an empty ship, a unique happening for the weekly Sydney-Welling-ton service.