STEAMERS TIED UP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1252, 7 October 1911, Page 5

STEAMERS TIED UP.

MATES COME ASHORE, THE MERCHANT GUILD IMPASSE. It is just a week since the first announcement was published of impending action by tho mates on small coasting vessels who were disaffected wiUi the provisions of a recent award by the Arbitration Court. Men have been leaving their ships from day to day since then, and now thp mates nave practically all como ashore, and a number of boats are tied up. After the first day or two (when it was by no means clear that the mates , would fulfil their expressed intention to come ashore), the shipowners formed and continue to hold a serious view of the position. They have been meeting f or hours daily to discuss tho position. They met again yesterday afternoon to consider a communication from P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, asking them to agrco to a further conference with the officers. It was decided to accede to the request only on condition that a conferenoo could be arranged with all tho available members of tho guild this morning. Tho shipowners wero uot willing to moot merely u committee. What will bo the outcome of tho conforonco is. of course, uncortnin, but the jiiances of a Bettlemcut would appear to be somewhat remote. Tho owners have announced from tho outset that they will uot go behind the awa d, and the guild men say that, unless the award is altered as to such material provisions as those concerning wages an I overtime they will havo none of it.

Owing to the officers leaving their posts, and to tho refusal of masters to go to sea with mates who were not members of the Guild, practically all the small coasters aro tied up. It has been found impossible to keep tho ships running, and the crews aro being paid off as tho vessels arrive at their homo ports.. It was only to bo expected that trade would bo to some extent oisorganised by so many small ships going off their running, for there are a number of porta to which goods aro carried only in these small vessels. Merchandise of various kinds destined for these ports is accumulating in Wellington. At Wellington thn departures of practically all the small coasters have been cancelled. The whole of the Anchor lino steamers are tied up at Nelson. The following vessels aro laid up at Wellington:—Wakatu. Gertie, Stormbinl, Arapawa, Huia, Blenheim, Kapiti, Manaroa, Kapuni, Moa, Opawa, and Queen of tho South. A few more coasters aro expected to arrive to-day, and in all probability they will also bo laid up. Tho Kiripaka is due hero on Monday, and she will also bo laid up. Most oi_ tho vessels are loaded, and are only waiting a mate. Tho Nikau ie at present laid up at Nelson. Some,of the above boats may possibly sail to-day,..bu.t-.lhat'..is..very doubtful.