THE IDLE PORT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18676, 27 April 1926, Page 8

THE IDLE PORT.

CONFERENCE) TO-DAY. BOTH SIDES AGREE TO MEETING. The waterfront at Lyttelton yesterday afternoon l>oro a deserted appearance. The watersiders, who had arrived in tho .uorning to hear tho latest developments in tho watersido dispute, had all returned to their homes. The few steamers at ihe wharves were idle. Ther o was littlo activity in the railway yard, whore shunting operations have "practically ceased until work on tho steamers "starts again, and tho whole port hears a Sunday appearance. Tho Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr 1'". E. Sutton), iii his Mayoral capacity, has been successful in arranging a conference between the parties. He approached both, sides on Friday with a proposal that a conference should be held in the Council Chambers. It i 9 understood that the watersiders have already consented to be represented at the conference. Yesterday llr Sutton received a letter from the Waterside Employers' Association asking for further particulars, which he furnished. Last evening Mr Sutton received word from the Employers' Association stating that tho Association was willing that a conference be held as suggested today. Mr Sutton is therefore making the necessary arrangements. As a result of the dispute no vessels with cargo to load or discharge are coming to Lyttelton. The only steamers due now are the Kahika to-mor-row, the Wootton to-morrow, and the Waipori on Thursday, but they are all bringing sheep. EFFECT ON INDUSTRIES. SOME FACTORIES MAY CLOSE DOWN. In the event of the shipping hold-up at Lyttelton not being settled in a day or two it is quite likely tkat some factories which are dependent on imported supplies in order to carry on their operations, will be compelled to shut down. Yesterday there was displayed in one of the City's largest factories, which employs close upon five hundred persons, a notice stating that the works would be closed down at the end of the week owing to shortage of material due to the hold-up at Lyttelton. There are several other factories similarly dependent on supplies from outside, Mid if the hold-up continues it is possible that they also will have to suspend operations.