SHIPS STILL IDLE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 12

SHIPS STILL IDLE

No Prospect Of Settlement

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 23.

The Union Steam Ship Company’s Kauri, in Wellington, and the Anchor Shipping Company’s Puriri, in Nelson, continue to lie idle, while the Secretary of Labour (Mr H. L. Bockett) endeavours to find a solution to the disputes holding them up. Mr Bockett said tonight that there was no immediate prospect of bringing the parties—shipping companies, the Merchant Service Guild and the Seamen’s Uniontogether. but he would be having private discussions with them in order to find a formula.

The Puriri, whose seamen wished the reinstatement of a crew member, has been idle since June 13, and the Kauri, whose crew did not want to serve under one of the officers previously involved in a dispute tn Auckland, has been idle since June 16. In both cases the seamen have been paid off. The Union Company, meanwhile, has commissioned the Kawatiri. which has just completed a survey, to load at Tauranga for Australia in place of the Kauri.

The Kawatiri will call for crew in Auckland tomorrow.

Compulsory Talks Urged

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 23.

Mr P. B. Allen (Opposition, Bay of Plenty) asked the Minister of Labour (Mr Hackett) at question time in the House of Representatives today if, ‘‘in order to prevent the spread of shipping disputes and economic loss and to enable the two ships at present tied up to go about their lawful occasions.” the Minister would call a compulsory conference between the Seamen’s Union, the Merchant Service Guild and the shipping companies.