N.Z.-CREWED TANKER LIKEL Y FOR COAST

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30535, 2 September 1964, Page 1

N.Z.-CREWED TANKER LIKEL Y FOR COAST

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 1. Petrol and oil products from Marsden Point oil refinery are likely to be carried to other New Zealand ports in a coastal tanker of New Zealand registry and manned by a New Zealand crew.

Representatives of the maritime unions will meet representatives of the oil consortium, including Mr J. B. Price, chairman of directors of Shell Oil New Zealand, Ltd., in the office of the Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) on Thursday, September 10.

A union official said the offer of a coastal tanker had been made, and that it would be accepted. The oil consortium stated its views some time ago and put forward a series of proposals' for examination. The Labour Department is acting as intermediary. UNION POLICY

Late last year the maritime unions declared themselves against the delivery of Marsden Point products to other New Zealand ports in ships other than those on New Zealand articles.

They asked for a firm guarantee that only New Zealand ships and crews would be used. The oil executives said it would be more economic to retain tankers from the international pool, after they had called at Marsden Point to deliver their cargoes of crude oil, to make deliveries before leaving the New Zealand coast.

They said New Zealand workers would not lose by that as at present overseas tankers carrying petrol delivered to all main ports. Discussions oh this were held some months before the refinery opened. It was then agreed that, as possible irregularities in the first few months might make a reasonable solution difficult, further discussions should take place within three months of the refinery coming on stream. PERIOD EXPIRES

This grace period expires next week-end, as the refinery opened at the Queen’s Birthday week-end. The expected early'difficulties at the refinery did occur, however, and have led to the prolonging of negotiations. Until a decision is reached* selected large tankers frtfm the international'pool will co® tinue the pretext policy or remaining off wKcoast for a month or .making coastal trips witlrrefinery products.