SHIPS HELD UP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 272, 29 August 1946, Page 5

SHIPS HELD UP

TROUBLE IN AUSTRALIA

SHIFT SYSTEM DISCUSSED (N.Z. Press Association- -Copyright.) (Rec. 11.10) SYDNEY, This Day. Two overseas food ships are held up on 'the Australian coast because of difficulty in obtaining coal, and the inter-State passenger vessel Ormiston is immobilised by the strike. ' \ Sydney watersiclers are to hold a ballot soon to determine whether they should revert to the old system of two straight shifts from S a.m. to 9 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. in preference to the hampering three-shift system imposed on July 17 by Communist influence. Following the recent defeats of the Communists, it is expected that a majority will favour reversion. A spokesman for the British Ministry of Transport stated that the Baron Stranraer, which loaded 8000 tons of wheat in South Australia had been immobilised in Adelaide since August 22. The Empire Aden, which was to have loaded flour at Sydney, could not he supplied because of the shortage of railway trucks. The ship was diverted to Fremantle for flour, but must steam 1000 miles back to Sydney fdr bunkering. • ' Tr The former Australian liner Katoomba, which has been held up for over two months because of a dispute between the maritime unions and the new owners, is now expected to sail toward tbe end of the week. Union officials state that agreement lias been reached except in a few minor matters, which should be easily adjusted. , The owners are reported to have conceded the men’s demands regarding the engagement of the. crew under Australian rates and conditions.

The inter-State liner Ormiston is lied up over a dispute over the cooks’ manning scale. All cooks have left the vessel and passengers have had to eat ashore. When the ship was converted to carry troops the galley staff was increased from nine to 14, The ship returned to normal employment a few weeks ago, and reverted to the 1939 manning scale. The Cooks’ Union refused to accept the decision of the Government-appointed manning committee, and a strikp is the result.