THE JUBILEE COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 99, 27 April 1888, Page 3

THE JUBILEE COMPANY.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BELLINGER, Mr Mcßurnik, the Victoria delegate of the Australasian Federated Seamen's Union, is at present conducting business connected with the strike at the Jubilee Steamship Company's Office. This morning ho was interviewed by one of our reporters with reference to the Wellington telegram published in our last issue, that negotiations between the owner of the Bellinger and the Jubilee Company had 'been broken off, and that' the steamer was to have--left for Sydney last night.,' Mr Mcßurnie .said that he was very much surprised when he saw the teleoram. "Onlyl three days ago," he said, •' I received a telegram from Port Chalmers asking if I would consent to : the purchase of the Bellinger, and 1 wired back, 'Yes, I think that I would have been informed by this time if negotiations had failed and the steamer hadleft for Sydney." " ■ f Mr Mcßurnie in reply-to questions stated further that, failing the purchase of the Bellinger, it was probable that the Jubilee Company would purchase or charter the s.s. Oreti and put her on the Northern trade in opposition to the Northern Steamship Company's Clansman. In the meantime, efforts would be made to obtain another steamer suitable for the Waitara-trade. He added that the Federated Union had experienced no difficulty in" raising the necessary money so far. The Sydney and Melbourne branches had not contributed anything from their funds, ah, assistance given to New Zealand dur. ing the, present strike being raised by ,a special levy. The New Zealand branch had, of course; been put to very heavy expenditure at the commencement of the strike, and used part of their accumulated funds for that purpose, but now even the New Zealand branch carried* on the strike by special levy only. The special levy at present both in Australia and New Zealand on account of the dispute \vith the Northern, Company is: ss. per month ion every member in employment, and this is said to cover all expenses. If necessary it is intended to increase the levy, but up to the present that course has not been suggested. J,'..- - -; i; .I;