JOB CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 234, 29 June 1922, Page 7

JOB CONTROL

THREAT TO COMMONWEALTH LINE STATEMENT BY MANAGER BY TELBGBAPH.—PBESS ASSOCIATION. —OOPTBIOHT. (Rec. June 28, 5.5 p.m.) London, Juns 27. Mr. H. B. Larkin, manager of the Commonwealth Shipping Line, interviewed by tho Australian Press Association, made reference to the trouble on the steamer Largs Bay. He pointed out that the Australian unions were playing the gamp of shipping competitors who desired nothing more than the failure of the Commonwealth Line. If successful they would endeavour to acquire the liners and transfer them to the British register, thereby escaping the obligations of the Australian Navigation Act, including the right to employ coloured crews. Mr. Larkin claimed that ho had loyally complied with tho conditions of tho Navigation Act, had invariably employed unionists, had given Australians preference, and had complied with tho Australian conditions of labour, wages, and hours. Notwithstanding these handicaps, from which competitors were exempted, he had just succeeded _in making the lines payable, but if job control was imposed and steamers were held up, involving a loss of £lO,OOO to £20,000 every voyage, the lines would Speedily becomo unprofitable and would inevitably be laid up.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A DIFFERENCE,OF OPINION (Rec. June 28, 11.30 p.m.) Sydney, June 28. It is rumoured that there is a difference of opinion between tho executive', of the Seamen’s Union and the Sydney branch regarding the hold-up of the Largs Bay, also that Mr. Walsh (president of the union) doos not consider the attitude of the branch to the Commonwealth Linfi politic, and is coming to Sydney to act as peace-maker. Colour is lent to this Uy the fact that Mr. Walsh will arrive in Sydney on Thursday.—Press Assn. STEAMER OWNERS CONCERNED COMPETITION OF FOREIGNOWNED SAILERS (Rec.. June 28, 11.80 p.m.) Melbourne, June 28. * Six sailing ships loading for European ports are causing oversea steamship, ownfirs concern as being mainly foreignowned and manned by seamen who are paid considerably less than the Australian and British rates. They are loading cargoes at rates much below those fixed for steamers. The shippers arg paying £lO,OOO in freight to London, .whereas under the rates fixed for steamer freights they would-have to pay £16,000. The sailers are being rushed by shippers.—Press Assn.