Union’s Ban May Still Affect Holm Line’s Ships

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29916, 1 September 1962, Page 10

Union’s Ban May Still Affect Holm Line’s Ships

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 31. Two Holm and Company ships, dispute-bound at Wellington because of a statement made by the company’s general manager, Captain J. F. Holm, remained in port tonight despite the unreserved withdrawal of the offending statment. No-one at Wellington tonight seemed to know when the ships would be allowed to sail, though they are down to sail tomorrow morning.

The ships had been held in port originally as a result of the African Reefer dispute, and might well have left this morning, but the president of the Seamen’s Union (Mr F. P. Walsh) took objection to remarks made by Captain Holm on the settlement of the Reefer dispute. The statement objected to was: “That doesn’t mean to say we won't do more after that,” apparently meaning the African Reefer could continue to bring bananas to New Zealand after its present contract expires. The agreement laid down that this could be subject to future negotiations, though Mr Walsh himself commented at the time that it seemed to mean foreign ships would not be used in the future. When Mr Walsh read Captain Holm’s statement, he said it must be withdrawn and, until it was. the company’s ships would not be taken to sea. Captain Holm withdrew the statement. He said it apparently gave the impression he was departing from the agreement made for the settlement of the Reefer dispute, for which his company is agent. The implication was not in-

tended. he added, unreservedly withdrawing the statement. His company, he said, undertook to honour in every respect the terms of settlement arranged by the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand). Dispite this withdrawal, tonight aboard the Holmglen which had been due to sail for New Plymouth early today, and the Holmdale, which was due to sail tonight for Dunedin., no-one knew when the ships would, in fact, be sailing. Members of the crew said they had heard nothing from the Seamen’s Union. This was also confirmed by ships' officers. Officers on the Holmlea said the ship was new up for sailing at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Officers on the Holmdale said their ship was now up for sailing at 11 a.m. tomorrow. Mr Walsh’s only comment to a reporter did not apply to the question he was asked. ‘‘No Agreement” Shipowners today were at a loss to understand the point of the argument between Mr Walsh and Captain Holm. “There is no secret agree-

ment between shipowners and Mr Walsh banning foreign ships in future trade." said a spokesman for the Overseas Shipowners’ Federation tonight. “The only agreement made is the one Mr Shand has announced. Clearly this leaves the way open for foreign ships to continue in the banana trade—if circumstances warrant it.’’

In Parliament today a group of Government members asked Mir Shand whether Mr Walsh was correct in his statement that none of the freign ships now engaged in the banana trade would come back to New Zealand once the African Reefer’s contract trips were completed. ‘‘The agreement is that the Lauritzen line will-complete its conitract, and before any decision is made as to what ships will carry the cargo next year, there will be consultations in which the Federation of Labour and the shipowners will be - invited to take part," Mr Shand said. ‘‘The object of the confutations will be to ensure the method chosen is that which best serves the interest of New Zealand.

‘‘All parties are agreed that cargo should be carried in New Zealand refrigerated ships to the greatest extent possible. Consultation will only be concerned with the carriage of cargo in excess of what New Zealand ships can carry in refrigeriaibed space at the peak periods or in periods of emergency.

‘‘There are no other conditions to the agreement, particularly no agreement as to whether any shipping line will or will not be employed in future years.” The Holm coaster Turihaua, due to sail from Onehunga which could be morrow afternoon, is the only ship in Auckland or Onehunga which could be affected by the union’s apparent decision not to lift the ban on taking the company’s ships to sea.