FREE LABOUR?

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18506, 7 October 1925, Page 9

FREE LABOUR?

"Ships Must Be Manned." MR. COATES' DECLARATION. Conference Fails: Men's Demands Refused. The conference arranged by the Prime Minister between representatives of the shipowners and of the striking crews of steamers on the New Zealand coast, proved abortive. ■ The Union delegates demanded complete capitulation by the owners. They demanded payment at the July rates of pay for all the period during which they have been, on strike, payment at this rate under any new articles to be signed, compensation for men imprisoned, and payment of board and lodging allowance to the men who had left their ships and gone ashore to live. These terms the shipowners' representatives rejected.

(press association telegbam.) WELLINGTON, October 6. The Primo Minister this evening issued tho following statement as to '*- thd result of tho conferences held with a view of settling tho shipping strike: "In tdie statement which I made hi tho House on tho evening of September 28th, I indicated that I was "negotiating with tho delegates of tho overseas seamen, and representatives of this shipowners, with a view to bringing about a conference. between tho two parties. It must be understood that tho dispute could bo settled in New ijealand only by mutual agreement between the parties, or alterniir\tively, by some tribunal in the United Kingdom. The Government has no jurisdiction whatever. I wi;l later submit a statement giving in greater detail an account of tho proceuu,.igs, but -meantime I shall confine- my sell u> the mult and tho remedy. , ''Seamen's delegates were brought in from various ports whero men were on gtrke, and tho conterenco met at 3.30 on Monday afternoon, sat until 0.30, turned at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, and closed at noon. "The teamen's dekgates presented a l - statement of the men's demands, which »efß sb follows: Llmmeri'ate release from prison aU British seamen. ■• 2. 'Men of overseas ships now on itjika to siga new articles of agreement ft* the voyage to tho United King- __ for which purpose they shall be '"ratted clear, of now existing articles Wtriven V.G. certificates of discharge. ' 'frages shall accrue to each man Mjis existing articles for the time he v ishl6t worked since August Ist, 1925. 4. No fino or forfeiture or other pen- • *tty shall bo deductable from tho wages /Of men tn respect to anything that has /©teovred in New Zealand in connexion 4 With the present dispute, to which this Settlement relates. 6. ill entriee'ih official logs or else-, Where of offences pertaining to the profltat dilute to be cancelled, and there shall be so victimisation. \ 6. No pjosocsition with respect to any matter involyod in the present dispute k .He* Zealand shall be instituted in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. 7. That oh a settlement being arrived u at each man who has been imprisoned ahajl lie eoinpetisatcd at tho rate of £1 per day or part of day. 8 ( 0a behalf of her crew, each ship Shall pay ia caßh to the solicitors of tho dttws in the, present' dispute tho full (oat of beard and lodging of tho men, Incurred during the time they havo been \ w» *hof e.

* i tf. Legal expenses incurred in Court proteedings against, or by, the men 8&all be refunded to them by the ship esteemed; such payment shall be made s rt in Wtfh to tho solicitor of the men. £ 10. Payjnents referred to in 8 <_ *atfs 9 shall be made before any ship is -v 11. Payments under all allotment i;<;JM>tes shall bo immediately reinstituted, fttfld payments made accordingly, as if tterc had been no cessation of work; j *of this purpose companies' offices in | United Kingdom, where allotments payable, to bo at once advised by J Ti,<4ble by each company concerned \ it. The sliding scale of wages to bo I 2* 1& On the foregoing terms and conbeing agreed to and signed, the ' ' will be manned at once. * "It was indicated that the men ! not sign the new articles except J**} the July rates of pay. >< Shipowners' Offer. ',,' t shipowners' representatives i* to consider, theso demands, M&> having done so, indicated that // «W were rejected. They submitted « «t*rnativo proposals, which were as allows:— ,V *• The men to return to the ships ini- ~* .& Conditional on No. 1, no prosecu.'yttttts will take place in tho United / lingdom. 3. "V.G. ' dis.harges conditional on ' wfianriour durin;; the. balaiice of the ' . **ya£ c will be given. T is wages to be paid during the * J * <: mcn werc on strikef '. p; There can be no remission of fines % Which have been imposed by the master k ; «* the Court. J Regarding the rcinstitution of alJ^^ ni s» the shipowners are not in a v th» to "« la y Ba >' anything definite, <"- j3 * Mpect to bo able to'say something $- ?*L the subject to-morrow. L v I*7 A 0? grievances the men may have bo Placed by them before tho V °f Trade for ius consideration L m? wrivai ii tho United King'i'' ■ A« to Condition 6 tho owners' ro l£ 2£i nt t tITBS ' at a later sta £ e > iadi" F^S?™ 1 that if tho men resumed full | SJv- Current allotments would be imC 2"i* te l y rcJUraed - Outstanding aJlot|v ffi | te also would **> Paid as far as tho duo to the men would permit. p* t Seamen's La3t Word. the seamen's delegates intimated they absolutely rejected those » Of resumption. During the coin-so 8 negotiation? with the men ; delci, I suggested that they should reiiU! duty, and leave the settlement &«? dispute to be dealt .nth on ' return to the United Kingdom, ootnrhittee of the Boaxd of Trade. was rejected. URt prior to the dose of the eonfer- „* a f a . m r-«kcd the men if there any tribunal to which they would

agree to submit thoi r differences for adjudication. They replied that it was the considered opinion of the seamen that no tribunal would be acceptable. The delegates' principal spokesman finally stated that they could not waive or deviate in any wav from the demands which they had put. forward on Monday, and unless the owners' representatives had any further proposals to put before them the discussion would have to bo (loped. The. owners' representatives replied that overnight they had gjiven further careful consideration to the matter, but wero unable to depart from the proposals they had submitted. "To myj final request to the seamen as to whether there was no alternative which thev would consider, the reply was tJiat there was .absolutely no alternative to what they had laid'down. The conference then dosed. The Remedy. "As to remedyutg the existing disastrous state of affairs, there was only ono way, and that i* to move the ships, and this apparently can be done onlv by augmenting the crews which ha vis stood by the ships with volunteers. "The ships must he manned in accordance with the conditions which have been laid down for the purpose by the Board of Trade, under whose governance they are, and agreed to bv the Underwriters' Association. The Shipping Companies will advertise for men to complete the complement for each ship. "The Government will take, such steps as may bo necessary to assure the protection of the crews." ALWAYS HOPELESS, WHY CONFERENCE FAILED. (SI'KCIAL TO "THE PKE9S.") WELLINGTON, October 6. Prom the commencement there was not the least likelihood that tho Wellington conference would prove Successful. It was attended by local representatives of the overseas shipping companies, and by about eighteen seamen, including Mr Butler, vrho is in the head offico of the New Zealand Union. The Government paid tho expenses of some eight strikers from other porta, in order to enablo them to attend. The strikers' representatives made demands so impossible of fulfilment that it would almost seem as if they wished to make certain of their rejection. Strikers Uneasy.

An official of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union states in regard to the possibilities of action being taken by tho farmers as a body, that nothing de-1 finite has been done through headquarters. Now that tho conference has failed, j action will be taken. Humours were current among tho strikers last evening that a detachment of free labourers from tho country wab arriving in Wellington W a goods train from Palmers ton Nortu, but tho largo numbers of strikers who assembled at tho Thomson, station were doomed to disappointment, as tho only arrivals by the goods train were three passengers not connected in any way with, the shipping, difficulty. • . I The tshaw, SwriU Co. has been adver- J tisin« for men to man the Arawa, sucn ■ men as aro engaged to get a steerage passage back trom: England to New Zealand. Num- f bers of men are likely to apply, especially as the offer provides a cheap wj of visiting tho Mother Country. j NO BLACK LOOKS. GERMAN SHIP GETS TRADE. (sr»ciu. to "thb rasss."} AUCKLAND.. October 6. While the German barque Ufned* now lie. in tho stream i» reading f « sea, British B^^^ton everyone s foruyi . bulks largo in tb%^ lU ' . I tiW ruito of wage, beta >*> ciws German, and earning half as niuc-h such foreign competitor* a* wm-j it on ■month, or halt tho d but n0 detish strikers la. o retu.e monstration lus J } , cw ivo.i them tho> no bacK look,. \ watersidera received for tho_swne work.

I>ORT HACKING IDLE. .PSSSS ASBOCIATIOS TMJOBAM.J AUCKI^», 1 O c ( tobcr ) 6 ; ho S&S!5 d «S 1 ri?»« "Sis ports iu continuation ot from" New York.

A COOL REQUEST. MAGISTRATE SAID "NO." '>SESS ASSOCIATION TZLEG2AH-) AUCKLAND, October l\ Another seaman from tho steamer Devon, which is lying idle in the stream, appeared before Mr Cutten. S.M., at the Police Court charged with bcinp; absent from the vessel without leave. He pleaded guilty. Mr Haigh, on behalf of the agent? of the Dx-voii, said taat the senior., McDonough by name, was previously ordered by the Court to return on hoard, but after being placed on the Devon, he promptly left uga n. Counsel understood that accused did not intend to remain on boiird. '1 lie trouble, was that as soon as the police launch took the seamen out to the vessel, a. Seamen's Union launch immediately went out and ihe men slipped down the ropes and on to the launch, which would return them to tho shore. Mr Haigh said he wanted to make it quite clear, that if this action was to be persisted in, the Shipping Company would take proceedings against the master of tho union's launch for persuading the men to Wve tiiO ship or, alternatively, with aiding and abetting them to leave. McDonough asked the Magistrate'to adjourn the case until Monday next, pend'ng the result of the conference in Wellington. He explained that he> was a representative or delegate of the Devon's men, and that it would be necessary for him to remain ashore. Mr Cutten: I'm afraid I cannot grant your application. You will be ordered to forfeit 10s mid costs amounting to £1 Is, and an order will be made lor vour return to tho Devon.

RIVAL UNIONS. STRIKERS' ORGANISATION. CLAIMS OF MEN'S LEADER. (aOSTKALIAK 4x5 N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, October 5. Mr E. Shinweli, organiser of the Amalgamated Marino Workers, issued the following statement: "A meeting of representatives from tho majority of tho ports in tho United Kingdom, unanimously adopted a resolution to continue tho striko with renewed vigour. Tho union consequently is making bigger and better arrangements at tho various ports to carry on tho strike to a successful issue. "We have appealed to trades unions in Groat Britain for contributions on behalf of tho British dependents of Australian and South, African strikers stranded by the -unwarrantable action of tho shipowners. We have been in direct communication with' Mr Tom Walsh (president of the Australian Seamen's Union), and Mr M. Charlton (leader of Australian. Labour Party), explaining tho whole position in Great Britain, and requesting continued loyalty of tho Australians until victory is consummated, and assuring them that the British strikers emphatically repudiate Mr Havelock Wilson's agreement with the shipowners. Tho marine workers hare- unanimously resolved to have nothing to do with Mr Haveock Wilson's union." "• Mr Shinweli adds: "When the strike began, the marine workers numbered only 10,000. Now tho union is 15,000 strong. Originally this union was practically confined to Southampton. Now it has extended to other ports. Mr Havelock Wilson'e claim that the Sailors' and Firemen's Union number 100,000 is a gross exaggeration. The total is under 50,000." Havelock Wilson's Beply. Mr Havelock Wilson, replying to the foregoing, stated that the Sailors' anfl Firemen's Union numbered 110,000, of whom over 50,000 were fully financial, having paid fully, a year's dues. Twenty-six thousand had paid six months, and 20,000 three month/;. The tbalance wore nnfinancial pending their return to Britain. Mr Havelock Wilson eaid that even if the marine workers numbered which he doubted, it was obvious that they were mostly strikers. The probability was that not more than 1000 were fully financial. He prophesied that the marine workers had troublous times, ahead.

OWNERS' STATEMENT. REPLY TO MARINE WORKERS. "SHINWELtfS FOLLOWING NEGLIGIBLE." (rar.ss association tzj.bgbam.j WELLINGTON. October 6. The shipping companies affected by tho troublo havo issued the following statement here in reply to Mr E. Shinwell's cabled refereneo to communication with Messrs Walsh and Charlton: ' 'There is no detention at any ports to outward sailings. All vessels are securing full crewa without difficulty, and tho situation is regarded by the shipowners as practically clear, the only effect of the agitation being that willing men, in isolated cases, are either being intimidated or coerced into refusing work, with the result that they aro losing regular jobs ajid others are securing them." It is also stated that Shinwell's following is quite negligible.

NO COAL FOR ORVIETO. WATEBSIDERS TO MEET. (iUSTEAUiK ASD X.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATIOK.) (Received October 6th, 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, October C. The Deportation Board continued its sittings, witnesses on behalf of Walsh sliii refusing to answer the Commonwealth counsel's questions'. Australian seamen refused to take. tho collier to the Orrieto in the stream to discharge a cargo of coai specially brought for the liner. The coal lumpers meet to-morrow, when they will define their attitude to the seamen's strike-

CONDUCT OF MEN. LABOUR PREMIER'S APPEAL. , (AVSTBALIAH AND H.Z. CAIBiB A3SOCUIIO*.) PERTH, October 6. A conference was called at Freniantl© by the Premier, Mr P. Collier, representative of the Fremantle branch, of tho Australian Labour Party, and the executive of tho Watersiders' 'Federation, to discuss tho rai'ds upon tho steamer Demodocus. It is believed Mr Collier asked both organisations to co-operato to prevent occurrences of that nature, as such happenings were being used to the political advantago of tho opposing party. Representatives of the two bodies undertook to do everything possible to prevent a recurrence.

COAL LUMPERS' ATTITUDE. (aztstbaliak axd x.z. cablb associatios.) SYDNEY, October 6. It is reported in union circles m Sydney that coal lumpers have decided not to cani-y out duties on British vessels the crews of which are on strike. It is stated that tho lumpers refund to coal the Orvioto. SEAMEN'S WAGE REDUCTION. EXPORTERS' NEGOTIATIONS FAIL. (AEBTaALIAS ASD X.Z. CABLI ASSOCIATION.) (Received October 6th, 11.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, October 6. Negotiations with exporters for the payment of £1 monthly to British sca~ men as a condition precedent to resumption failed, chiefly owing to the hostility of tho shipowners. POLICE FEAR TROUBLE. SE4MEN AND WATERSIDERS. (Received October 6th, 11.55 p.m.) PERTH, October G. Largely reinforced police aro patrolling tho wharves at Frcmantle, as there are indications of a cla&h between tho watersiders and the striking seamen, the former protesting against lack of work through tho seamen's action, which is driving shipping from tho port.