POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. REGULAR HANDS DISCHARGE CARGO.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8724, 25 November 1913, Page 5

POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. REGULAR HANDS DISCHARGE CARGO.

SYDNEY, November 24. The latest strike development is the refusal of the wharf labourers to un-load'-'the Union Company's steamer Karitane of a cargo of oats and po-a-

toes from Hobart. The Company's regular staff is discharging the cargo and other batches of regulars are discharging the Willochra's and Makura's cargoes. Amongst the passengers held up by the non-departure of the Manuka are 200 emigrants who arrived on Thursday by the Orama. The delay is likely to prove a serious drain on the finances of numbers of them.

The Maheno is still lying in the stream.

The Seamen's Union is inclined to consider that the action of the company in keeping her there is in order to prevent the crew from leaving. It is pointed out that the agreement provides that the members of the crew cannot hand in their resignations until the vessel reaches the place where she loads or unloads 'cargo, meaning the wharf. Probably the Makura's crew will be paid off. Questioned in regard to the New Zealand cable that unless the Sydney Union manned the Makura a crew would be sent from Dunedin, the secretary of the Seamen's Union stated that there was no official knowledge of such'a cable. He had nothing to say in the matter.

So far the strike has not'affected the officers of the Union Company's vessels. The secretary of the Merchant Service Guild says that the organisation has no official knowledge of the dispute. No communication has passed between the Guild and the men. He.'added>:• "We are keeping out of .

at least as long as we can."