Australian Labor Federation

“ The added happiness of your lives should be rendered as thanks to him who sleeps in the cold grave. Though you leave him—or his remains—there in that sacred spot, his memory will be in your minds as an example, and in your hearts an inspiration, and his life a solace to his comrades and a bond between them, stirring humanity to its very depth until all slavery and bondage have been abolished, and happiness prevails in every home. ”

“ Those who remained, though always in dwindling numbers, were used by the employers in continual acts of provocation against the lumpers. Invariably in industrial disputes a condition precedent to resumption of work is that differences between the parties shall be regarded as finally settled, and that no victimisation shall follow. Without that essential understanding industrial harmony could never exist. But in the period following the wharf trouble of 1917 the powers that be deliberately chose to perpetuate discord. ”

“ The news of the conflict on the wharf on Sunday spread as on the wings of the wind, and unionists everywhere rallied to the support of their comrades at Fremantle. A mass meeting of railwaymen was held the same night, when a resolution was carried leaving the Executive a free hand to act as it deemed best in conjunction with the Disputes Committee. The Collie miners called a stop-work meeting and placed themselves in readiness to proceed to Fremantle if called upon to do so. ”

“ These demonstrations—April 22 and 26—spoke eloquently of two things, the determination of the men and the wonderful courage and support of their wives and dependents, and the fact that dire need and hunger was the daily portion of many as a result of the rightful calling of the lumpers having been taken from them. The sight of hundreds of women, many of whom carried little babies, or to whose skirts clung tiny, ill-clothed children, marching at the head of a column of men numbering thousands, was distressingly impressive. ”

“ By this time it had become obvious to all at Fremantle that something was afoot. The police had emerged from "B" Shed, where they had been quartered, and marched to allotted positions. A mounted force, 50 strong, had been drawn across Cliff street at the town end of the Harbor Trust offices, whilst the majority of the foot police paraded in reserve near the pick-up bureau. Small squads were despatched, with fixed bayonets, to guard the eastern entrances to the wharf, and to clear all persons outside the fence of the railway reserve. ”

“ The sorrow of the community generally became personal with trades unionists throughout the State, who mourned not only the death of a comrade who had given his life for the cause of the working classes, but for the young widow and her three little children who were left behind. Their welfare became the immediate care of the Disputes Committee, and it was not surprising that when the terms of a settlement were agreed upon they included a promise from the Government that compensation should be paid to the dependants. ”

“ We regret the delay in answering yours relating to the proposals made to the Lumpers’ Union, and assure you it was unavoidable. After very careful consideration, and viewing the situation from all aspects, keeping in mind the whole time the question of a permanent solution of the trouble and the establishment of conditions which would make for industrial peace at the water front, we have to again advise that we are very cemented in our belief that there can be no industrial peace on the wharf while the two elements exist relating to the supply of labor. ”

“ We now have to advise that the Lumpers’ and Tally Clerks’ Unions are prepared to guarantee sufficient labor to carry on the work of the Fremantle Harbor without stoppage, and to give assurance of continuity of work under the existing Arbitration Court award, and if those who have the power can find a way to remove the Nationalists from the wharf, the guarantee to man the harbor and carry out the work of the Port without stoppage will be given in approved form. ”

“ McCallum followed with a similar appeal, in which he said that 30,000 workers had stood loyally behind them prepared to go to any extent to see they were successful. It had not been a lumpers’ fight only, but something that affected the whole movement. The terms of settlement provided that the State must relieve any urgent cases of distress, and that there should be continuity of employment. He also announced that the Disputes Committee had insisted upon compensation to the widow and family of the deceased comrade, saying: "The one black spot is that a comrade has made the supreme sacrifice. ”

“ It is known to the world that the Government of the day, backed by the shipowners, decided upon the enrolment of "blackleg" labor, and with that labor the work of the wharf proceeded. On October 4, 1917, the lumpers presented themselves for work; no work was offering. For some time this state of affairs continued, and even when work was offering the lumpers were studiously overlooked and "blackleg" laborers engaged. Attempts were made to open negotiations with the employers, but the men’s leaders were treated with contempt. ”

“ In no industrial trouble before did the women folk stick to their men as did the wives, daughters, and sweethearts of the Fremantle lumpers, and in the achievement of final victory they are entitled to claim an honored place. ”

“ We claim that they are not only getting preference, as given by Judge Higgins in the Arbitration Court, but that they are allowed by the employers in Fremantle to go on to any ship they desire in preference to the old lumpers, and also have the right to refuse to go on any ship to which they object, and the work of that ship is left to the old lumpers. Those ships are flour, phosphate, wheat, and sulphur ships. The only jobs they will take in preference to the old lumpers are those on cargo and coal boats. ”

“ The breaking point came on April 12, when the members of what had become the National Waterside Workers’ Union — it was registered as such on October 20, 1917 — decided, in defiance of an understanding arrived at the previous day, to work the influenza-stricken interstate liner Dimboola before her period of quarantine had expired. The lumpers decided to prevent them placing the lives of the people of the State in jeopardy. That morning, when a few of the "blacklegs" attempted to proceed to the Dimboola, lying in the stream, they were directed by the lumpers to leave the wharf. ”

“ If one, or any, of the old lumpers leaves a job and comes down to the pick-up place they are reported and are stood down from one to twenty days for leaving a job before it was finished." In addition to this positive assertion of unfair discrimination in so-called preference, which was never contradicted, the President also recounted how the employers deliberately refused to proceed against Nationalists caught in the act of of pillaging, whilst using every opportunity of accusing the lumpers. ”

“ If while on one boat another full cargo boat comes in, and they want to work it, they can leave the first boat before finishing the job, come to the pick-up place, and get preference over the old lumpers for the fresh job, and the old lumpers have to take the jobs they have just left and finish them. ”

“ A rumor gained currency that a body of "blacklegs" were coming down the river in a launch. Immediately bellmen were despatched throughout the Fremantle district calling all unionists to the wharf.
Confirmation of some secret move was first obtained in Fremantle by the arrival of a number of motor cars, containing many prominent employers. These cars halted for some minutes on the old Fremantle bridge, waiting for the arrival of the launch with the remainder of the party, the arrangement apparently being that all should arrive at the Port simultaneously. ”

“ McCallum made the following appeal: "No sum of money, however large, can possibly compensate the widow and children of the late Tom Edwards for their loss. Those children are entitled to the same facilities for education, and a chance for a start in life, as if their father was here. The youngest child is only two years old now, and for the ñèxt fourteen years at least will require assistance. Although the money provided in the Commissioner’s finding will be appreciated and go a considerable way to help, it cannot be argued that it will do all that needs to be done. ”

“ Whilst this great concourse of people participated in an event which saddened thousands of hearts, the people of the city and suburbs were also reminded that the last rites were being paid to one who had made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of human liberty. ”

“ THE industrial records of Australia contain no more pregnant illustration of the power of organised labor than is to be found in the history of the Fremantle Wharf Crisis of 1919. Hitherto, in the long struggle for the proper recognition of the rights of the working classes the force of arms had not been openly employed ”

“ The Disputes Committee, which had met during the afternoon, placed its proposals for settlement before the State Executive, and the two bodies arranged to place a proposal before a mass meeting of lumpers and tally clerks the next morning.
In the King’s Theatre, Fremantle, at night an immense gathering rallied to hear the men’s leaders. A great reception was accorded Messrs. Renton (who again appeared with his head swathed in bandages) and Alex. McCallum. ”

“ These three were first met by the Commissioner of Police, who said to Mr. McCallum: "For God’s sake do something to keep your men back. We don’t want to have any further trouble and you know what will happen if something is not done." Mr. McCallum replied by intimating that the action of the police had so incensed and enraged the men that unless the employers left the wharf he would not be held responsible for what might happen." Whilst these two were talking a report rang out from the crowd, and Mr. McCallum rushed back asking the crowd to remain quiet until he and Messrs. ”

“ The Disputes Committee also immediately made it known that all men should report for work the following morning (Thursday, May 8) . They gathered in large numbers, and in good humor, to hear their leaders and to join in the celebration of the victory. At the foot of the O’Connor Monument they were addressed by their President (Mr. Renton) and Mr. McCallum. Mr. Renton, his head still in bandages, spoke first, and was heartily applauded. ”

“ If the Government and the shipowners agree that they are under an obligation to these so-called Nationalists, any compact they may have entered into between them cannot in any way he regarded as a responsibility of the Lumpers’ and Tally Clerks’ Unions, and we do not feel justified in suggesting any method by which the alleged compact may be carried out ”

“ Colebatch, in the course of a speech in the Legislative Council in reference to the crisis, said that the document for enrolment read:— "National Volunteer Service: We, the undersigned, do hereby offer our services to the Government of Western Australia, and we agree to do to the best of our ability any labor we may be called upon to perform until a suitable settlement has been made with the industrial workers now out on strike." The Premier further ”

“ Hundreds of them have not earned sufficient to supply their families with the bare necessities of life. Their position is becoming desperate.... The position that has existed on the wharves for the last 18 months cannot continue any longer. ”

“ Whilst there is the picture of poverty, hunger and want on the one hand, the shipping companies sit back callous and indifferent." And here Mr. McCallum made the important disclosure that it had come out in the discussion at the conference that the agreement which the "blacklegs" had signed when they were engaged for work on the wharves stipulated that their employment was only to exist until the lumpers returned to work. Although this statement was strenuously denied at the time by the employers, it was fully confirmed on August 22 — over three months later — when Mr. ”