HOBSON'S BAY CREW

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 97, 26 April 1922, Page 5

HOBSON'S BAY CREW

DEMANDS OF THE UNION. I PICKING THE COMPLEMENT (Received 11.30 a.m.i SYDNEY, this day. A meeting of the Seamen's Union car ■ ried a motion that the original crew o I the Hobson's Bay. which has been pai. off, should not sign on again, am adjourned till Wednesday, stating tha it would pick the new crew in the mean time.

The dispute has now reached a head, as the original crew resent the union's action, which they characterise as Bolehevism stating that they will defy the union and sign on again.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

Owing to a difference of opinion between Mr. Hughes, the Prime Minister, and Mr. H. B. Larkin. general manager of the Commonwealth Government shipping enterprise, in regard to the manning of tlm Hobson's Bay, the split which occurred between the chief of the line and the head of the Government last year may be revived ehortly. On that occasion the difference of opinion was so acute that Mr. Larkin resigned, and was only persuaded to renew his agreement with the Government for a year after several stormy interviews with Mr. Hughes and an undertaking 3iad been given that the line was to be run free of political interference. With reference to the manning of the steamer mentioned, Mr. Larkin r eeved instructions on the following lines: (a) ] Full crew to be paid off at Sydney, (b) All hands signed on ship in Britain to be re-engaged if deeirous of rejoining and eligible for position, (c) Vacancies to be filled by hands excluded by unions from joining steamers Moreton Bay and Large Bay, and heads of departments to have free selection of men. Any present member of crew not rejoinmjj not to be given a passage back to Britain, (c) If unions prevent orewe from joining on these condition.*? the vessel to be manned and dispatched with non-union labour.

Tearing that the proposed iciion would lead to induetrial turmoil. Mr. Hughes vetoed the general managers instructions, and substituted the following conditions under which the crew of tho chip was to be changed: (a) Crew to be paid off at Sydney and all hands allied with Australian maritime unions to be re-engaged, (b) Xo passage back to Britain to be granted to members of j crew not rejoining. (<5) Vacancies to be filled by excluded men from steamers Moreton Bay and Largs Bay. id) Management to have free selection of crew. : (c) Vessel to be iaid up indefinitely if unions refuse to recognise and act up to conditions laid down. Tt will be observed that the two chiefs desire to overcome union domination by vastly different methods. The shipping manager ie determined to keep the ships moving, even if he has to resort to nonunion labour, while the Prime Minister considers that it would be wiser, if necessary, to place the ship, which coat £1.400,000 or thereabouts, out of commission till the union officials agreed to man her on the terms of the Government. Id the one instance a heavy loss would be sustained whiie the vessel was lying idle. The trade which is beinc built up under great difficulties would <ret a setback, ac a full earso ie alreadr booked for her. On the other hand, if non-union labour were emnloyed she would at once became a "black" ship, and the trouble nifelit ranidly spread to her numerous eiflter-. with the result that not only the Bay liners, but the best part of the Federal fleet, mijht also be added to the idle list.