HOLD-UP.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18672, 22 April 1926, Page 8

HOLD-UP.

MORE VESSELS IDLE. DEVELOPMENTS AT LYTTELTON. 1 SERIOUS POSITION THREATENED The position in regard to the holdup of shipping at Lyttelton is becoming more serious, and to-day may see one or two more vessels added to those two already idle at port. Yesterday morning the watersiders held the usual monthly stop-work meeting. Although two or three hundred men attended the meeting, there was at least an equal number outside the hall who were not sufficiently interested to take part. The ordinary time allowed for the meeting is from 8 a.m. till 10 a.m., but on this occasion the meeting did not finish until close on 11 o 'clock. •: When interviewed after the meeting the secretary of the Union, Mr J. Flood, said he had no information for publication. He declined to say whether the meeting had discussed the hold-up or not. Calls for Labour Fruitless. At 11 0 'clock calls for labour to work the Canopus and the Coolana, the two ships affected and whic> have been made ''preference ships," were made, but there was no response. The employers had decided that the little steamer Progress, which had arrivod during the morning, and for which there was perishable cargo standing on the wharf, should be worked. A call was therefore made to work her, and the men immediately responded, the Progresß getting away later in the evening. Other vessels which had secured lahour before the .trouble continued worked as usual, and sevoral of them sailed. 1 Alleged Interference. ! A call by the railway foreman for labour to work in trucks at the Canopus was unexpectedly responded to hy two men. These two men started work at 1 o'clock, but after handling a few baskets it is alleged that Ihey were induced to ceaso work. The two men left the truck only partly filled. Shipping Diverted. Where possible, shipping companies have diverted ships from Lyttelton, but a number are duo within the next fow days. The Tugela, with cargo from South Africa and Weßt Australia, and the Kurow, with sheep and general cargo from Auckland and Gisborno, are duo to-day. Throe overseas vessels, the Matakana, the Canadian Miller, and the Anglo-Columbian are among those duo to-morrow. Others are due on Saturday and Sunday. If' the employers carry out their present intention, no labour will bo engaged for these unless the Canopus and Coolana are first fully manned. No Calls for Lahour. "No call for labour was made yesterday with the exception of the ferry steamer. Cargo for this vessel will probably be restricted to perishable goodß only," said a shipping authority yesterday afternoon. "Ships in Port are now finishing off their cargo, and n. more calls for labour will be made until the Coolana and Canopus are manned."