SEA TRANSPORT.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18267, 29 December 1924, Page 9

SEA TRANSPORT.

AUSTRALIAN TROUBLE. EIGHT COLLIERS LAID UP. UNION DISCONCERTED. t»* CAHLX-rKESS ASSOCIATION— COPTJUOST) (AirSTRAIJAX AND S.r.. CABLE ASSOCIATION-.* SYDNEY. December 27. Iv is generally believed on the waterfront that there will be no concerted action on ihe part of the shipowners unless their hands arc forced by ext.ctno union action. The members of the Maritime Union, have been disconcerted by tho more of the inter-State shipping companies in paying off the crews of eight vessels at Melbourne and Geclong. The shipowners say that the laying-up of these vessels, which are colliers, has no connexion with tho shipping trouble. They would have been taken out of commission in any case this season. Tho overseas steamer Arabian is held up at Fremantle. Her Chinese crew, numbering forty-two, havo deserted. They had asked for improved conditions. Referring to tho dispute which has arisen in the steamer Barunga, Mr Morphett, secretary of tho Adelaide Steamship Company, said job control was making it almost impossiblo for shipowners to carry on the transport senvices of the Commonwealth in a satisfactory way. The vessel was ready for sea, on "Wednesday, when it was found that threo stokehold hands were missing. Two later returned, But the crew refused to sail without the missing man. There were a number of firemen on shore, but none of them would go to sea. The vessel is still held up. • BIG COMBINE FORMING. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Eeceived December 29th, 12.5 a.m.) MELBOUR.NE, December 29. It is understood that secret negotiations aro in progress for the formation of a powerful Transport' Workers' Croup similar to the one in Sydney, and there is every likelihood that the move will be successful. If the negotiations are completed they will greatly strengthen the hands of the seamen, and any dispute between them and the owners may mean a complete paralysis of tho industry. A big maritime upheaval early next year now seems to be inevitable.