Marama May Be Laid Up

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32194, 13 January 1970, Page 1

Marama May Be Laid Up

(New Zealand Preet Association) WELLINGTON, January 12. The roll-on Tasman freighter Marama may be laid up early next month because of a labour dispute which has stopped work at the vessel’s Melbourne terminal since October.

The Melbourne stoppage has been caused by a dispute between the Federated Clerks’ Union and the Transport Workers’ Union. About 1000 tons of cargo have been sitting in the Union Steam Ship Company’s Melbourne .depot since October, and some 2500 tons have been there since December. The company spokesman said today that the Marama was at present on the Auck-land-Lyttelton-Dunedin run, replacing the coastal roll-on ship Hawea, which was undergoing annual survey. The company hoped that the Melbourne dispute would be resolved by the end of the month, when the Hawea would return to service. However, it appeared to be doubtful that the disagreement be-

tween the two unions would be settled by that time. Efforts would be made to find other employment for tire ship, but as she was a specialised vessel, this would be difficult Accordingly, there was a distinct possibility that the Marama would be laid up early next month, he said. Meanwhile, the company was endeavouring to provide a Melbourne • Auckland • Wellington service using conventional ships, but this was difficult because shippers had been equipping themselves to ship goods in containers. The 6350-ton Maratna’s sister ship Maheno, which works the Auckland-Welling-ton-Lyttelton-Sydney roll-on service, ia not affected by the dispute.