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‘Australian sailors wanted’: Labour supply and Australian shipping, c. 1870–c. 1914

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  • Dmytro Ostapenko
  • Diane Kirkby

Abstract

In the pre‐1914 era Australia did not develop an ocean‐going merchant navy. The problem is well recognised in previous studies that assumed that it was high Australian wages that made the operational cost of deep‐sea vessels uncompetitive on a global scale. This article reconstructs historical shifts in the Australian market for a seagoing workforce and demonstrates there was low recruitment of Australian labour. Drawing on new sources and inspired by efficiency wage theory the article argues that it was this shortage of a domestic labour supply that constrained the development of a national deep‐sea shipping industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Dmytro Ostapenko & Diane Kirkby, 2022. "‘Australian sailors wanted’: Labour supply and Australian shipping, c. 1870–c. 1914," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(2), pages 141-160, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ozechr:v:62:y:2022:i:2:p:141-160
    DOI: 10.1111/aehr.12232
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew Seltzer & André Sammartino, 2009. "Internal Labour Markets: Evidence From Two Large Australian Employers," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 49(2), pages 107-137, July.
    2. Charles Fahey & André Sammartino, 2013. "Work and Wages at a Melbourne Factory, the Guest Biscuit Works 1870–1921," Australian Economic History Review, Economic History Society of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 53(1), pages 22-46, March.
    3. Lew, Byron & Cater, Bruce, 2006. "The telegraph, co-ordination of tramp shipping, and growth in world trade, 1870–1910," European Review of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 10(2), pages 147-173, August.
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