SHIPPING HOLDUP.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17609, 11 November 1922, Page 11

SHIPPING HOLDUP.

FERRY SERVICE TO CEAJ:-E, MEN TO LEAVE THE SHIPS. A SERIOUS SITUATION. The position in regard to the shipping dispute is now most grave and it is feared that today will see almost the whole of the New Zealand coastal diet, including the two ferry steamers Wahine and Maori, hi'ld up. (SPECIAL TO "THE PIlBSB.") "WELLINGTON, November 10. For some days now it has been surmised here tmit there was every likelihood of a shipping hold-up as a result of the recent Arbitration Court decision reducing wages in sympathy with the decreased cost of living. There hare been lengthy deliberations on the point at issue, but the proceedings were kept veeret. To-day the seamen definitely decided to take action in protest against the Court's award. | At nine o'clock this morning a stopwork meeting was held. It lasted about an hour. Almost immediately afterwards men from the Wahine, Nikau, Kegulus and Rippie went back to their ships and gave notice of their intention to cease work. The coaster Hippie is in her home port here, and her departure- was cancelled. The Wahine will sail for Lyttelton this evening as usual, but the crew having given notice- to leave at her home port, the chances of her sailing from Lyttelton for Wellington to-mor-row seem very remote. The Wahine got away at noon on the usual Pieton run, but the men will probably leave her when, she returns to Wellington. The Hiiddart Parker boat, Ulimaroa got away punctually at noon. Her crew are on Australian articles, so it was known that there would ba no trouble in her case. She carries the mail for Australia and passengers proceeding to England by next week's P. and 0. steamer." The Seamen's Union officials are at present maintaining secrecy in regard to what has transpired at meetings, but all the symptoms point to a general paralysis of the whole of the coastal shipping of the Dominion! The men in other centres are expected to follow the course, taken in Wellington to-day. ■ ■'■■■'•;.-■ -TwentyTJ.B.S, Company's Steamers •.'■'■." ..Idle,.' '.■ The Union Company has nineteen vessels held up at New Zealand ports ad a result of the trouble. At Auckland there are three passenger, ships idle: Navua, Arahura and Manuka—and the following cargo, steamers— Waipori, Kaiapoi, Waitomo, Kurow, Kawatiri; Kaiwarxa, Kaituna, and Kaitangata. ~,'. At Lyttelton the cargo vessels Wihgatui, Karori, Katoa, Kaikorai and Kakapo are idle, and at Port Chal- i merit the tramps Waikouaiti andKai- I ioke. With the addition of tho Wahine, the number \fill be brought up to &>. ; There are twd colliers expected at Wc&ngtonfrom the West Coast before the end of.'the/week, the Komata and the Ngahere, and it is probable that these steamers will also be affected. ',': The 1 mail steamer Maunganui, which Heft Sydney yesterday, ts aue here on Monday, and is ' scheduled to sail on Tuesday for San Francisco, via Rflro- I tonga and Papeete, but as the vessel is j oil New Zealand articles it is possible that he,r crew will come out on her arrival'.'" :"' ■•,'■'' There are eleven coastal vessels at present in ' commission in port to-day—-the Kennedy, HolmdaJe, Kapuni, John, Ngafcuta., "Wahine. Echo, I Wootton, Ripple, Wairau, and Nikau. The number will be increased within few dayspwhen the following ships are due :Mnvercargill on Sunday, from Wariganui; Hawera to-morrow morning, from' '.Patea; Kapiti "to-dnyy fiom Wanganui; Calm to-day, from Bluff; and: the Wakatu from Lyttelton raid ! Kaikoura on- Saturday. There are two ;Home liners in port, the Mahia and the i Middlesex, the former loading and the.! tatter discharging cargo. The Mahia isi expected to sail on Mondby for Pieton and the Middlesex was, to leave to-day for Lytteltonand'Dunetlrri. : The trouble which originated on the Union Company's cargo steamer Kalaka late yesterday afternoon, when the engine-room.complement refused to sail on, account of a non-unionistr fireman haying been engaged, delayed the vessel tiff this morning, when an attempt was made'.to' settle the matter. This I was unsuccessful, and/ the vessel, which j had anchored in the stream over-night pending «;hmTied departure, was tied up at the wharf this morning. Public Opinion. . Public opinion is very generally against the action taken by the Union offickus. The country is just recovering from a severe set-back, and there is still; a certain amount of unemployment in the cities and towns. The action that has been taken must necessarily increase the Unemployment. To "begin with, the waterside workers will » : '# of work, and financially m they are not in a good position, as there has been: rather a quiet time on the waterfront for the pasVfew months. Moreover, if the trouble, is not soon settled, there is evety likelihood that many workers in other industries will also be affected. The_ average labourer views the position with, concern, and it is generally recognised that the action that has been, taken will seriously prejudice the Labour candidates at the coming general I election. Liberal-Labour candidates will .also be adversely affected, for many Liberals and a considerable section of Labour voters will most certainly vote for a strong Government. Some Labour members, however, say that, the trouble was bound to come sooner or later, and they hope that\a paralysis of trade may bring about Government actipn which they hope Will harden up the Labour organisations. The indications, however, are at present all in the opposite "direction. The Coal Supplies. 'One satisfactory phase of the BJtua-

; «t foot cf nert column.) '■

MAORI'S MEN GIVE NQTICE. VISITORS CURTAIL HOLIDAY. STOEES FOB CHATHAM ISLAND DELAYED. On the arrival of the Maori at Lvttelton yesterday morning it was freely fctated that the stokehold crew intended to give notice. The rumour became a fact in the afternoon, when the majoritv of tho stokehold crew, as well as some A.B. s, handed in notice to leave the vessel .it Wellington to-day. The Maori v-ill therefore have to tie up at Wellington to-day. The Wahine, on which, according to a fress Association message, the stokehold crew gave notice at Wellington jesterday. will be held up at Lyttelton to-day and there wiil be no further ferry trips until either or both vessels are released. | r or the thousands of North-Island who came down for Car- \". u' the Position is serious. N>iien the news became known in the <~,ity yesterday afternoon many of the visitors decided to curtail their holiday and take their departure by the Maori last night. Many went down to Lyttelton by the late afternoon trains, liy tie 6-o0 p.m. train from Chri&tchurch the exodus had Get in in earnest. This train, which hud been enlarged to about seven cars, to take the Lyttelton people who had been spending the holidav in town, was all too small to take the hundreds of ferry passengers who wished to pet down to port ahead of the regular boat train. The train was therefore delayed ten minutes while five more cars were put on. The boat train also brought a large number, and the Maori was almost a full ship when she left. Up to the time of sailing there was considerable doubt as to whether she would get away, as three firemen had absented, themselves. However, the vessel was still up to her legal complement, and as the stokehold crew raised 'no objection, she was able to sail. The fact that the Maori is on Wellington articles and that most of her men reside there, probably had some bearing on the case. The members of the Seamen's Union in Lyttelton held a stop-work meeting in the Coronation Hall yesterday". The meeting was very largely attended and was presided over by Mr G. Adams, a member of the Dominion Executive. Seen after the meeting, Mr Adams stated that it was an ordinary stop-work meeting which the Union is entitled, under the award, to hold once a month in the principal ports. Only ordinary business was transacted, and the position as regards the dispute was not diecussed officially, as, under the Union rules, there were no officials present authorised to take charge of such a meeting; All the vessels held up, six in number, are now at the wharves, some of them double-banked alongside others. Perishable cargo and cargo which is required immediately, such as sugar for the South, will be discharged to-day. Tlie hold-up of the Kakapo may prove serious for the residents of the Chatham Islands. The Kakapo was en route for Waitangi, via. southern ports, and had loaded stores and mails. As there lias been no -steamer to the Islands for some months,, the Islanders are likely to be on short commons before long. Jt was intended 1 to dock the, Kaikorai at Lyttelton this week, but owing to the trouble, tho Union Company deoided to lay the boat up in the meantime. ' Four hundred passengers have already booked by the Wahine to-night. ' AT DUNEDIN. POSITION TTNAIiTERED. (9PEOIAL TO ''THE PBESS.") ' ' DUNEDIN, November 9. The position in connexion with the Union Co.'s steamers Kaitoke and Waikouaiti, which are held up at Dunedin on aocourit of, the dispute between the shipowners and tne Seamen's Union, remains unaltered. The Waikouaiti, which arrived on Wednesday afternoon from Newcastle and Sydney, via Bluff, was ready to sail at 4.30 p.m. yesterday for Lyttelton, but as two firemen signed off the articles and the company were unable to replace them, the vessel is unable to leave port. A large number of watersiders are still engaged in discharging operations on tho Kaitoke. This work, will be completed by to-morrow or Monday, and should the dispute bo still unsettled then, the vessel will no doubt be removed to Port Chalmers. The local officials of the Federate Seamen's Union are still maintamg strict silence in connexion with the trouble. A general and special meeting of members of the Federated Senmen's Union employed on the',steamer* now in nort "was'held' in tho Trade? Hall to-day. The 10-al secretary of the/Union'(Mr W. Clarke) returned to Dunedin vsterdav afternoon, having attended the conference held at W»ilinorton during the week. He and other ■ official*! were present at to-day's meetmz. Th£ meeting was in session from 8.30 a.m. until about 11 a.m., and everv' precaution was taken to prevent the 'leakage of news to the public or Press concerning the business discussed. It is understood, of course, thßt the local delegate, submitted a report on the Wellington conference, and that the present position was fully discussed. Special meetings of members of c rews from the ships now at the various ports in New Zealand wer« also held to-dav. the issue of these meetings will be eagerly awaited, as it will probably decide whether or not there is to be a general strike.

WELUNGTON-LYTTELTON SERVICE. WHAT IS GOVERNMENT GOING TO DO? A MERCHANT'S QUERY. (PKESS ASSOCIATION TKLEGBAU.) WELLINGTON, November 10. "So far as we can tell the trouble that has arisen will mean a general stoppage of the eompany'6 vessels," stated a prominent official of the Union Steam •ship Company when interviewed tonight, "but we haive not heard from the different ports yet. The Wabine stops at Lyttelton to-morrow and the Maori h-tops on her arrival in Wellington tomorrow. Until the matter is further developed we don't know what arrangements can be made for carrying on the service. We are just in the position ot Mahomet's coffin, hung up between heaven and the other place. We don t know what is going to happen. Inere ij really nothing more to say at present, because we'don't know any more about it, but probably to-morrow we shall know more where we stand. The stoppage of the Wahine and Maori, ot course, onlv affects the Lyttelton ferrj service, but that is most important so far as New Zealand is concerned. The pebiiion in regard to the inter-Colonial seivico is that the Moeraki is held up at Svclney, the Paloona at Melbourne, and the Manuka at Auckland.'' He could not say anything about the general merits of the dispute, he continued. He had nothing to add to what had been said as to the employers' view of the case. i'lie Maunganui left Sydney at 1 p.m. on Thursday for Wellington. She is due here on Mondav and is timedi to leave on Tuesdav for San Francisco, via ports. This vessel is en New Zealand articles. The Huddart-PaiKer Company's inter-Colonial passenger steamer Ulimaroa is on Australian articles, working under an award with which the men are evidently satisfied. She left Wellington at 12.5 p.m. to-day for Sydney, mid is the only Huddart-Parker boat now running to New Zealand. Her next trio from Sydney is to Auckland, from winch port she is timed to sail on November 24th. ~ "What we are asking ourselves now, said a prominent business man to a "Times" reporter, "is whether the Government intends complacently to. allow the North and South Islands to be cut off or take prompt steps to renew the service between Wellington and Lyttelton." | CESSATION OF TRAFFIC. i TROUBLE NOT EXPECTED TO LAST LONG. PEELING AMONG THE MEN. (PKESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) / WELLINGTON, November 10. The seamen's trouble reached a head here to-day, when the men "employed on the vessels in port decided to give twenty-four hour*' notice of their intention to cease work. All vessels on New Zealand articles are affected by the notioe which expires to-morrosr, when all the. vessels will be laid up. The crew of the Wabine, which left for Lyttelton to-night, will leave the vessel on arrival at Lyttelton. Th<: j Maori will be the last ferry steamer ; leaving Lyttefton for Wellington in the. meanwhile. The opinion expressed among seamen is that the strike will be comparatively of short duration, the men having decided to cease work ae a protest against the Arbitration Court decision reducing wages. A strong feeling exists among the men that the award is unjust. The employers are emphatic that the award must be adhered to. While itJs pointed out in Labour circles that the trouble has come at a bad time in view of the approaching election and Christmas, the opinion is expressed that a fight by Labour against the reduction of wages must come sooner or later. The City Council anticipated trouble and secured stocks of coal sufficient to last forva considerable time. There is also enough coal at the gasworks to last for three months. "There is not a doubt that the stoppage wtill very seriously disorganise trade whilst it 'is on,"' said Mr Harold Beauchamp, of W. M. Bannantyne and Co., to a "Times" reporter to-night, "but the employers will no doubt have to keep a very stiff back. They cannot possibly, give way to the men under the present circumstances. There is no prospect of the cost of operating ships or the cost of living coming down until wages fall. Of course some people say that wages cannot come down before the cost of living is reduced, but that it putting the cart before the horse. The public have been clamouring for lower freights, both in respect of overseas snipping and local coastal steamers, but it is impossible to make concessions until wages come down. The cost of living is steadily coming down as is shown, by the latest statistical tables. It is only reasonable that the special bonuses and rises given to meet the cost of living should be reduced as it falls. That is really what is taking place to-day, yet the workers do not feel inclined to accept the position. The workers, are undergoing the same trouble practically in all parts of the world, but after a good deal of boggling they have accepted" the situation. It is either that, or throttling business altogether." • Mr T. O. Bishop, secretary of the Shipowners' Federation and N.Z. Employers' Federation, on being approached stated: "I am not making any statement at all for publication. There is nothing niore to be said. TV position has been fully set out, and there is nothing to add." It is anticipated that all the coastal vessels will doubtless be tied up. Some of them, however, are away from their home porta. It is pointed out that a few days must in any event elapse before the cessation of coastal traffic can be complete. EXODUS FROM NELSON. PEA AND TOMATO GEOWEES PACE EULNATION. (PKESS ASSOCIATION TELEGKAM.) .NELSON, November 10. The Ngaio left Nelson this evening a full ship, with Wellington people returning in view of eventualities. If the Wellington-Nelson service is interrupted it will mean immediate and severe loss to pea-growers. Tomatoes are almost ready for shipment in large quantities, and if access to markets ia cut off it ■will mean ruination in r-any struggling growers and great 1a.,, to all. Apples from the cool stores are going over in fair quantities. These will keep, but the loss of time may mean loss of opportunity to sell altogether. Many Nelson producers, especially small men stand to lose the results of a consider- | ;ble portion of the year's work if cut off from the Wellington markets for any length of time.

MOVEMENTS OF STEAMERS. GENERAL STOPPAGE EXPECTED. (FBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, Novembor 10. The crew of the Wabine, which left Wellington to-night for Lyttelton, gave notice to pay off at Lyttelton to-morrow. The Maori, arriving at Wellington tomorrow from Lyttelton, will pay off her crew on arrival. The Anchor Company's WellingtonXelson passenger and cargo service is expected to be suspended to-morrow or on Monday. The Regulue left Wellington at midday to-day for Picton, Nelson. Westnort and Greymouth. She pays off at Nelson to-morrow. The Kahika, which loaded in the for Wellington, New Plymouth and Nelson, is detained, at Wellington, and probably pays off at Wellington. The Waimii left Wellington at noon to-day for Picton and is due back at 5.45 p.m. to-morrow. She will probably tie up. The Calm left Wellington at 10.45 o'clock to-nigbt for Wanganui and is flue back at Wellington on Sunday. The Ngakuta sailed from Wellinston .it 12 20 p.m. to-day for Westport/and the Holmdale sailed at 1.40 p.m. for Dunedin. Smaller coastal steamers are still moving, but may cease to-moirow or on Monday. t The New Zealand representative of one of the big overseas shipping lines stater! that the present international services were not in any way affected. The seamen concerned'were not members of the New Zealand Union, and the vessels coming here from Home and other distant lands were not manned by men of the New Zealand "Union. We have had fihipoing disturbances here before, he remnrked. and Home ships were not effected. There was fio suggestion that thty would be affected en this occasion. 'J FLOUR SHORTAGE AT WELLINGTON. EXTREMELY SERIOUS POSITION. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON; November 10. The position with regard to the bread supplies in the city is extremely seriousSupplies are very short and it is estimated that they will last only a week or so. In the course of an interview, a prominent business man said: "There is a big flour shortage at present. We have only enough to last till Thursday next, and there are others in the same position. Most of the stocks will not last more than a week at most. The people in the trade in Wellington were caught with low stocks, and this was because prices have been fluctuating lately. Merchants say that their stocks are low also, so the position is very serious. The strike could not have come at a worse time for Wellington so far as bread is concerned. I don't know what the outcome of it will be here, but it is certain that. there will be very serious trouble within a week or a fortnight. Perhaps the Government will take some action, but it is certain that the people cannot be allowed to starve." IRRITATION TACTICS. RECURRING STRIKES. i (PBESS ASSOCIATION TELKGBAM.) AUCKLAND, November 10 The Seamen's Union -met : to-day to consider the report of the delegates to the conference, of the executive at Wellington. Though the officials are reticent it is understood) here that the conference decided that all members of the union should give notice to-day. It is further stated that the men will offer their services on November 20th, remaining in their employment for a week, when they will again give notice. It is understood that this will be a recurring process. Trie Makura sailed for Sydney to-day, the passenger accommodation being fully occupied, two hundred embarking here. Over fifty members of the crews of the Union Company's vessels laid up travelled by her. The Sugar Company's steamer Hona, which arrived from Fiji to-night, is under Australian articles and is not effected The crew of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Tiroa gave notice this week, but the owners gave a written undertaking that the old award would be observed. The men therefore withdrew their notices. CHARGE OF INTIMIDATION. , AUCKLAND OFFICIAL FINED £5. (press association telegbam.) AUCKLAND, November 10. A fine of £5 and costs, £8 19s, was imposed on Thomas Frederick Anderson, secretary of the Auckland Seamen's Union, wno was charged with having on September 26th, wrongfully and without lawful authority, intimidated Keith Betheiidge and Lawrence Bevis with a view to compelling them to abstain from travelling in the Arahura from Auckland to Gisborne. The defence was a denial of the allegations that the defendant told them to get ashore or they would be put ashore. He merely tried to persuade them to go ashore as they were delaying the ship and passengers by remaining on board, as the ship could not proceed to sea while they were on it. TROUBLE IN AUSTRALIA. MOEEAKT AND WAD2AWA STILL IN SYDNEY. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable -Association.) (Received November 10th, 11.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 10. The shipping trouble remains unchanged. The Moeraki's firemen refuse to sail unless three additional firemen are engaged on Australian articles. The steamer remains at anchor in Neutral Bay. Most of the passengers, who include a number of New Zealanders,. are .itill aboard, but they will be'landed if no settlement is reached, of which, at present, there is no indication. The Moeraki has a considerable amount of perishable cargo, including fruit. Her mail is exceptionally heavy, and includes a portion of the last English mail. The postal officials are arranging, ifTKe (rouble continues, to reship the mails by the first vessel sailing for New Zealand. (Continued at foot of next column.)

The "Waikawa's crew have asked to be put on Australian articles so that vliere will be no trouble upon reaching New Zealand. Negotiations are proceeding, but it is understood that no settlement is yet in sight. (Received November 11th, 1.10 aim.) SYDNEY, TTovember 10.: The crews of the Moeraki and Waikawa are still on board. Both sides are determined.. Failing a settlement, the Moeraki's passengers will be landed tomorrow. PALOONA HELD XTB. (Received November 10th, H. 5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, November 10. The Palooria is still held up. It is stated that the cause of the trouble is that one fireman left the ship, and as a substitute could not bs obtained on New Zealand articles, the other firemen refused to work shorthanded. DISPUTE IN ORIENT LINER. MELBOURNE, November 10. The seamen of the Orient liner Orvieto left the ship in consequence of the owners refusing to pay Australian rates. The Orvieto was carrying Chip pasrengere, who have now sailed for Sydney by the Ormonde. Later. Summonsed have teen issued against twenty members of the Ornoto's crew on charges of absence without leave. The seamen are backing the firemen in their demand for Australian rates of pay, on the ground that the Orvieto is carrying inter-Stata passengers. Many Sydney people returning from the Cup meeting are on board. The Orient Company has offered to refund their passage money.