GRAVE CRISIS IN AUSTRALIA

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3505, 3 December 1913, Page 6

GRAVE CRISIS IN AUSTRALIA

“CEASE-WORK” MEETING HELD YESTERDAY.

WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME?

[united press association—copyright] .. ■« SYDNEY, Dec. 2. The “Sydney Morning Herald” says that , matters have reached a very grave crisis. There will be a “ceasework” meeting of the Wharf Laborers’ Union this afternoon to consider the policy. At a late hour last night it appeared as if industrial turmoil of. a far-reaching nature could he averted only by oleVenth-hour conciliation. The Waipori got a loading of coal, 2620 tons, before the Newcastle trimmers decided to block the Union Co.’s boats.

The agents for the Whakatane and Indrapura cannot-understand the attitude of the men towards their vessels, which so far have .been- nowhere near the seat of trouble. The cargo was loaded bw_unionists. "The delay.means a'seriqus loss to each company. > •;. "/The Iron Trades Fddrafion lias; deU; yiddd to decli neLo touch boats to and front to all the affiliated unions such as the

blacksmiths, ironworkers, and engineers. A mass meeting of wharf laborers, Mr Hughes presiding, decided by a 10 t-o one majority to continue the boycott of cargo to and from New Zealand. The New Zealand Labor delegates approved of this resolution. Other cargo will bo worked, which means that the Union Company’s and Huddart Parker Company’s coastal boats will not be boycotted.. This decision embodies the policy framed, by the big unionist conference at to-day’s meeting. It was rumored in Newcastle to-day that if Union S.S. Company’s boats continued to coal there the miners would strike, but as far as has been ascertainable the miners at present do not intend to participate in the dispute. \ Mr Hughes, on.behalf of the conference of unionists, is issuing a reply to the Employers* Defence Committee recommending that the whole alfair be referred to Sir Joshua Williams or any other acceptable arbitrator, whose decision shall bb final on all points, including the employment of labor.