SHIPPING HOLD-UP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 7

SHIPPING HOLD-UP.

NEARLY 500 MEN 'IDI.E.

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, this day.

It is estimated that 470 seafarers are idle consequent on the hold-up of the Huddart-Parker Company's entire fleet of seven vessels, the Ulimaroa, Zealandia, Corid, Yarra, Werribee, Barwon, and Goulburn, with an aggregate tonnage of 27,387.

The cooks are holding a meeting to-day to discuss the position.

The Seamen's Union is resentful, and declare that a handful of cooks have caused a wave of unemployment in their ranks without consulting them.

Mr. Appleton, chairman of the Huddart-Parker Company, in defending the action of his company, stated that repeated calls were made for cooks to replace the strikers, but without success. He added: "We are now awaiting action by the Arbitration Court on Friday, and unless the Court fixes drastic penalties, including fines, the men will continue to disobey the awards. The present position is intolerable. Since March 2 our offices at Auckland, Wellington, and other New Zealand agencies have done no work. Should the Court decide to suspend the Cooks Award, then the shipowners will decidc what to do."

UNION PERSISTS.

BOYCOTT THREATENED.

MELBOURNE, April 23.

The Maritime Transport Unions announce that if the sale of the Commonwealth Line ships is confirmed they will declare "black" all Lord Kylsant's vessels which visit Australia. The principal line controlled by the Kylsant interests is the White Star, and the effect of the unions' decision will be that immediately the sale of thef Commonwealth Line ships is announced in the House of Representatives to-morrow, the members of all the waterside unions will be expected to refuse work on all these ships.

A remarkable feature of the position is that the Commonwealth Line itself will not be declared "black," although purchased by Lord Kylsant, while Australian crews are. employed at Australian rates and under Australian conditions.