THE SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17629, 5 December 1922, Page 6

THE SHIPPING TROUBLE.

RUMOURS OF A "BIG BURST UP."

SEAMEN TALKING AGAINST THE LB LEADERS.

(special to "Tire PRESS.' *

WELLINGTON, December 4

The Tahiti and the Paloona are both getting away this evening with free labour crews. Tho former has a splendid crew engaged. On the Paloona there are a number of students from the Otago Medical School who did splendid work on the run up from Lyttelton.

There are sinister rumours that there is to be a "big burst up" after the general election, and that an effort is to be made to stop the railways as well as the steamersSo far as can he gathered tiiero is no official warrant for such statements as are freely majde, indeed, there is a growing feeling amongst the workers that it would be madness to precipitate a general hold-up of the industry and commerce of the country. Many wharf labourers and seamen are tired of doing nothing, and are anxious to make iip for time already lost. They are begining to talk against their own leaders, who apparently have led them into the present impasse. It is said that trouble will ensue if the Massey Government is returned to power. On the other hand there is a very general consensus of opinion that only such a Government could deal with such a trouble. Trade is already dull without putting further obstacles in the wav.

REFUSAL TO WORK WITH FREE LABOUR. (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, December 4.

A meeting of the local branch of the Seamen's Union was held to-day. No official information was forthcoming, but it is understood that it was decided to continue the present policy of refusing to 6ign on with free labour. COOKS' AND STEWARDS' UNION. (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, December 4. In view of the prosecution of seamen for alleged striking, the secretary of tho Federated Cooks and Stewards' Union has written to the Labour Department asking whether the Department will investigate the fact that notioe was given by members of the union, with a view to taking proceedings against the Union Company for an alleged lock-out. There is no change in the position otherwise. "WATERSIDERS NOT LOOKING POR TROUBLE." (special to "the press.") DUNEDIN, December 4. Officials of the D'unedin Waterside Workers' Union deny a statement that lias gained some currency to the effect that a strike of watersiders is arranged to take place immediately after the elections. The secretary of the union (Mr J. Burton) informed a "Star" reporter that there was absolutely no foundation for such a rumour.

"Probably," lie said, "some time during December twenty-eight waterside unions in New Zealand will take a ballot on the acceptance or otherwise of the neiw award. In my position as secretary I probably know Letter than any outsider what the watersiders are going to do, and I can tell you now they are not looking for trouble."

MANNING THE MAKURA. STRANDED BRITISH SEAMEN ENGAGED. (By Cable —Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, December 4. In connexion with the sailing of the Makura, which is stated to be largely manned by stranded British seamen, the local seamen express much disgust and anger. The trouble is the outcome of the rupture between the British and' Australian seamen's organisations arising from the refusal of the latter to allow crews which manned the Commonwealth liners from England to become members of the Australian organisation and work the ships back to England. It has been explained that the British sdaraen stranded in Sydney through the Seamen's Union barring their admission were on the verge of being repatriated at the expense of the Commonwealth. A condition of the repatriation to distressed seamen was that there must be no work offering in the port where they wore stranded. Jt is contended that when the_ Union Company invited volunteers to join the Makura the British seamen had no alternative but to accept, irrespective of wh.it their inclination was.

Australian shipowners claim that the rush of men to man the* Makura has disclosed the fact that ample free labour is available to place all idle vessels in commission, and the probabiity is'that unless the Seamen's Union displays a rnor« reasonable attitude the extension of free labour manning will shortly be inaugurated. Much distress is existent among the waterfront employees of various classes, and they are allegedly simmering with discontent over the way the position has been allowed to develop. There are rumours of the likelihood of a breakaway from union control.