Melbourne, Dec. 8.
According to the "Melbourne Herald," Mr. Bruce, the Commonwealth'Prime Minister, has telegraphed to the Premier of West Australia urging him to provide protection to Commonwealth officers engaged in essential services at Fremantle, which is blockaded by. trade unionists, Shipowners in an interview with Mr. Bruce laid stress on the seriousness of the strike. Mr, Bruce not indicate the steps that the Government would take.
Oversea shipping companies are seeking a High Court injunction to restrain the Melbourne Waterside Workers' Federation from continu-Ing their over-time strike. Similar action is being taken in Sydney.
Later.
Shipping companies have cancelled Australia—Reuter, Perth, Dec. 3.
The West Australian Government indignantly deny the report that Walsh, the President of the Sea-Union, has been invited to Australia by the Ministry—Reuter, Fremantle, Dee. 3.
The strikers have not interfered with shipping movements here today and several steamers have been berthed—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.