SHIPPING IMPASSE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 35, 4 November 1922, Page 4

SHIPPING IMPASSE

TROUBLE SPREADING AT AUCKLAND FIVE VESSELS LAID UP BY TBLBQRAPH.-PB.ESJ ASSOCIATION. Auckland, November 3. The trouble among seamen continues to spread, for this morning tho stokehold crew of tho Waitomo, which arrived from Ocean Island with a cargo of phosphates on Tuesday, gave 24 hours’ notice, and in consequence the galley hands have been given notice by the company, and the men will all be paid off to-morrow. This makeg the fifth vessel belonging to tho Union Steam Ship Company at Auckland to be laid up owing to the crews signing off or failure to get a full complement, others being the Arahura, Kaiapoi,. Waipori, and Kurow. The Kawatiri, another red funnel steamer, «ariyed from Newcastle this morning with a cargo of coal, and berthed at the King’s Wharf, while the Kaiwarra is due from Fiji with a cargo of sugar to-morrow. The Manuka from Sydney on Monday, and the Flora from Rarotonga, with fruit, on Wednesday morning. These are all Union Steam Ship Company’s vessels. The Flora is to be laid up at Auckland after discharge, as she is not further required for the Island service, and the crew will be paid off. Thia was decided 'upon before there was any trouble with the seamen. The Makura is due from Vancouver next Friday, but as she is on Australian articles she will not be affected. The Northern fleet is now practically tied up, and the company’s wharves are almost deserted. Tho Aupouri is still bar-bound at Raglan, while the Arapawa, which is at Westport, is expected to leave there aiiy time now, and on arrival at Onehunga there is little doubt that her crew will also give notice. THE POSITION AT LYTTELTON ONE VESSEL HELD UP AND ANOTHER LAID UP. BI TXLESR/i’II—PRESS ASSOCIATION Christchurch, November 3. The Union Co.’s Kntoa is the latest vessel to be affected by '• rouble with tho stokehold crew, and her sailing for Dunedin, has been postponed indefinitely. One man signed off today, and the company was unable to fill his place, and consequently the crew refused to go to sea. The Karori paid off her crew today, and will bo laid up at Lyttelton. Font men left the Mararoa this morning; but- she was later dispatched for Wellington,. one boiler being cut out. DUNEDIN VESSELS NOT AFFECTED. BY TELEOHArU. —I’RF’S ASSOCIATION Dunedin, November 3. None of the steamers in port are affected by the Northern trouble. The Wanaka and IJauri signed on new crews early in the week without a hitch. It is understood that a recent meeting of seamen from ships in port 1 and ashore without work decided by a large majority to accept the new award wages. It is stated, also, that the men advised an official of the local branch of the Seamen’s Union that they would not participate in any strike nt present. A prominent shipping official states that a large number of seamen and stokehold hands are ashore e©d' workless. ‘ ‘We. signed on two full crews recently, and recommissioned the ships this week. Judging by the men offering, we could secure crews for two or three more.’’ THE POSITION LOCALLY BUSINESS AS USUAL YESTERDAY. Yesterday the atmosphere on the waterfront and in shipping circles was permeated with rumour —rumour unfounded as it proved to be. At one time the Wahine would not sail for Lyttelton, at another the crews of the coastal ships were out on strike. But the alarmists were disappointed, for no sailings were hindered and work a’ent on ns usual. Meanwhile £ho issue of tho meetings of the New Zealand executive of the Federated Seamen’s Union, to be held at 10 o’clock this morning, will be eagerly awaited, for it is generally conceded that the (future action of the seamen will depend upon the result of this conference. All facts will be considered and tho question of whether a plebiscite (should be taken to reject or accept tho Arbitration Court award will be discussed.