In spite of the most optimistic statements by the representatives of the Seamens' Union, the dispute between themselves and the AN: tralian Ship-owner' Aascciation, does not seem to be near its ending. The Prime Minister took steps to bring measures before the Fed parliament which would amend the navigation Act, and make it possible to maintain services between States in event of the trouble being prolonged. The amendments were Fassed before Parliament adjourned for the period of the time the American visitors would be here. Nothing further can eventuate from the government until parliament reassembles, probably about August 31. The Commonwealth Line Board of Control came to an agreement with the seamen before the ar of the American cet and the ships of the line are finding no trouble in ped retting crews.
The delay of the increased number of vessels belong-1g to this service being in commission is due to the fact that some of their vessels have been sold, been laid up The present attitude of the owners within the to be that they will wait their time, and only make peace with the seamen under their on conditions and qualifications. The seamen are adopting much the same attitude with the result that little or no headway is being made towards a settlement, and the general public has to "pay the piper." Many industries already affected by dullness of business are now finding tically no work for their oper: ives, and the unions which remain loyal tothe Arbitration Court are complaining of the suffering caused among their members by a Union which has preferred to be outlawed, rather than to listen to the decisions and sound reasoning of the Court, Although Mr. Walsh, the leader of the seamen, is in communication with the Disputes Committee of the to help to a decision in the Trades Hall, who are endeavouring
interests of all other unionists, he is "taboo" in genuine Labour circles.
Mr. Long, the new Labour premier in New South Wales, who made an effort to reconcile the shipowners and seamen, has made a strong statement against the practice of "job control." He has intimated that his government will not stand for the principles of cither the—LW.W.—whose representatives are showing themselves clined to come forth into daylight '—nor the Communistic elements upheld by the New South Wales Propagandist Mr. J. S. Garden. Mr. Long states most emphatically that, "We believe in freedom of speech, of organization, and of conscience; ut, we do not ing' men who are avowedly bent on destroying our political and social institutions." This does not look as if either the LW.W. nor the Communistie sections will be allowed too Tong a rope with which to hang themselves even in the State where a Labour party government handles affairs. It has also been Pointed out in spite of all Mr. Walsh has to say to the contrary, that Mr. G. C. Dixon, who recently Published a book "Melbourne to Moscow" makes clear the fact a bea recommendation from Mr. Walsh was found quite an adequate passport to the good ° favour of the Soviet headquarters. It is unlikely, by [unless the shipowners and seamen come to a private settlement, that anend of the dispute will be brought about immediately, or, that the State or Federal governments will assert themselves in settling it until the visiting fleet has left the ports of Australia.
Woollen Mills in Flames 'The Lincoln Woollen Mills, which Fire one ofthe firs mills' mana. facturing knitted goods, underwear and hosiery, on anything like extensive scale in Melbourne, had 2 disastrous outbreak of fire at their factory which covers some five Melbourne): The flames had a good hold on the buildings and contents, snd had reached the main part, in hich was situated the office of the factory before it was discovered by the watchmen who were occupied in cleaning other parts of the property. Much damage was done to the office records, and fittings, while urge qualities' of silk, artificial silky and wool were destroyed in addition to 450 machines, 250 of which had only been installed on the previous day. The lowest estimate of the damage was £500,- 000, while some of the management consider that the cost to the company to replace machinery, build igs, and stocks; as well as allowing for the loss on maintaining with contracts and orders on hand undelivered will be more ili the neighbourhood of £750,000, The shares of the Lincoln Mills, which [Were just becoming popular on the market, experienced a falling off in demand and price owing to the disaster, but on the information being made available that. sufficient wan saved from the effects of fre and water fo keep working €00'of the 1,000 hands, nowallysmplosed the—shares steadied. Although the effect key the experienced Shareholders in obtaining smaller dividends was obvious, the. shares were not efter, nor id they fall great extent after the fiat hours On the night of the fre Coburg residents found themmclves in dance a about half an how after the outbreak of the fre"'at 820" pam, ering to the Electric substation [Which sipped their. "Hight and Tower bolag adjacent to the mil, trid the cables carrying the power tung no cle to the buildings that the flames swept aver them 'The houses facing the frontage of the mills were in great danger for a time, and mae concern was fa by the occupiers, mostly employees there, nti a timely change ofthe wind saved the situation, blowing The' ames back over their tracker
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.