THE CANOPUS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18670, 20 April 1926, Page 11

THE CANOPUS.

NOW BEING WORKED.

ANOTHER STEAMER HELD UP

Tho Westport Coal Company's steamer. Canopus, which has been held up at Lyttelton owing to the refusal of the watersiders to work her cargo, is now discharging. When a call for labour was made yesterday morning it was responded to by sufficient men to make 0110 ship gang. No railwaylabour could be secured however, ann the gang therefore commenced discharging tho Canopus's cargo into a hulk. ~,,■■ So reason was given for the decision of tho men to accept employment on the vessel after their previous refusal. The trouble lias now spread to another vessel with coal lor discharge. Calls for lalwnr to work the steamer Coohma, which arrived on Sunday from Wellington with a part cargo of Newcastle coal for discharge, were made yesterday morning, but there was no response. The Coolana therefore remained idle all day. It is believed that after a day or two's delay the men will work her. Union officials state that the action of the men is unofficial. It is quite evident that the men have held the ship up, as they did the Canopus, as a protest against having to work part of a cargo which had been worked at another port at lid per hour more than is paid at Lyttelton. The watersiders at the other ports made an agreement with the employers by which they received the increase of lid on condition that they agreed to work on Saturday afternoons. This agreement tho Lyttelton watersiders rejected. .