THE SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17624, 29 November 1922, Page 9

THE SHIPPING TROUBLE.

INDICATIONS OF EARLY SETTLEMENT. (SPXCIAL TO "IHS PBJES»."» WELLINGTON, November 28. There are indications to-day that the seamen and firemen are backing down, because they realise that further inactivity oh their part is unlikely to be productive of ultimate beneficial results. The executive now seem anxious to bring about a settlement, and some definite move may be expected to-mor-row. (press association- TEI-EGRAM.) WELLINGTON, November i! 8. The situation in the shipping trouble shows that the indications arc in favour of an early seUemont. No announcement has yet been made by the National Executive of tho iboauieu's Union, out it is believed that mom bora realise that it is fruitless perpetuating the present position, because the ship-own-ers are having no difficulty in getting vessels maimed by lieo labour, and it seems hopeless to expect support from tho deck officers, or any other outside source. It appears that the Executive of tho Union considers that the firemen and seamen have not refused to accept work under tho Court's award, because when the men offered, their services a week ago the shipowners declined to make any engagements until the Union first guaranteed that the provisions of the award would bo accepted and observed. The developments to-day signify that the executive is anxious to bring about a settlement, and that a conference with the shipowners to discuss the existing situation would be welcomed. MrT. 0. Bishop, secretary of the Shipowners' Federation, stated to-day that a settlement must bo effected with the union before unionists would bo allowed to go back to the ships. The secretary of the Merchant Service Guild (Captain Maclndoe) stated this morning that there was no chance of the deck officers going out. He had been surprised to see a Christchurch telegram to that effect. The Wootton will probably bring the North Island mails to Lyttelton today. The Opua and the Holmdalo should both bei available for taking the northward mail from Lyttelton this afternoon. The Maori will he the ferry steamer en Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, commencing to-morrow. The Mararoa retires from tho service to undergo overhaul.

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, November 28. The Arnhura left for Gisborne and Napier to-day. She is the last of the coastal vessels thrown, out of commission by the strike. The only vessels now idle are the Manuka, Waitomo, Kaiwaria, Kawatiri, and Kaiapoi. No labour is being engaged for pending a settlement of the Australian trouble. ATTITUDE OF OFFICERS AND ENGINEERS.' SUCKJESTION 0* TJNEEST EESENTED. t '., (spioial to "the pmms.'!) DUNEDIN, November 28. !

A well known master of one of the/ Union Company's flteamers drew a reporter's attention to a paragrph telegraphed from Christchurch to th© effect that rumours were current that eomo officers were becoming uneasy in consequence of the suspension of the. Shipping and Seamen Act. He said that there was absolutely no. truth, in the rumour, and that the officers and engineers were as loyal as they were during the 1913 strike. He had visits ed Auckland, Wellington,_and Lyttel- : ton since the ; commencement of the i present trouble, had' conversed with, many officers and. engineers, and had not seen one sign of uneasiness <in any ship. There were probably a few disr contented ones, but these were to be found in any \*alk of- life. His .officers were quit© satisfied with tWe way things were going, and were treating th© holdup more as a joke, than anything else. Another well known master and an official of the Union Company, stated that there was absolutely no manifestation of uneasiness or discontent amongst any of the officers and engine > eers as far as Dunedin was concerned; The official had visited every, Union boat which, had arrived Her© since the time of th© commencement of the dispute, ' and had found no discontent? whatever amongst the officers and engineers. , •'.■!■■■ Captain J. Flynn, master of the Union Company's cargo steamer, Kurow, which arrived at Dunedin from Auckland, via Wellington > and Lyttelton, is very proud of his non-union crew. He informed a "Star" reporter that almost every man belongs to Auckland. Many of them are yachtsmen and motor-boat owners, and others are ex-naval men. "With a few exceptions, every man on deck is capable of taking a turn at the wheel. "Most of them/' 1 said Captain Flynn, "can steer as well as the old hands. We have one man who could not steer, but after a little tuition he proved a worthy hand."

"I asked him if he could steer and he answered," 'No sir.' "Can you drive a motor-car,'' I asked. „ i " 'Yes. sir ; I can, as I own a motorcar," was his reply. " 'Well, if you can drive a motor-car you can steer this good ship.' We had not been long at sea before he was steering equal to the best of them." AUSTRALIAN HOLD-UP. BOYCOTT OP UNION COMPANY. (By Cable— Frew Association —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Aisociatioa.) SYDNEY, November 26. At a late hour last night, the Koranui and Kokiri were unable to sail, owing to members of the respective crews absenting themselves. Twentyfour hours' notice was given by tue remainder. Both vessels were bound to Newcastle. It is explained that the hold-up is ' part of the seamen's policy to boycott the Union Company's steamere till the strike in New Zealand is dedared off, or until the strikers in the LonglJay prison are unconditionally released. Later. A mass meeting of senmc-n decided . that the Waikawa's* men should .not return to the vessel on any other terms than Australian articles. It was announced at the meeting that the stewards and other members of the Mooraki's'crew had been asked to perform a seamen's duties but had refused. The .". Union Company has paid off the crews : of the Koranui and Kokiri. {