IDLE WATERFRONT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 151, 23 March 1934, Page 12

IDLE WATERFRONT

Overseas Vessels Delayed MEN ATTEND FUNERAL No work was done by waterside labour on the AVellingtou waterfront yesterday afternoon or evening, the men calling a stop about midday to attend the funeral of Mr. Arthur E. Davis, who died on Wednesday morning as a result of being struck with a carcase of beef while he was engaged In loading the Port Chalmers at the Glasgow Wharf. Most of the overseas ships flew their flags from half-mast during the day. A large number of watersiders attending the funeral yesterday gathered at the Keiburn viaduct and proceeded to the Northland Methodist Church, from where the funeral left for tlie soldiers’ cemetery, Karori. Several cargo vessels have been affected by the stoppage of work. The Commonwealth and Dominion Line’s Port Nicholson, already several days overdue, will not now get away finally until daybreak to-morrow, and the Port Chalmers, which was to leave tomorrow, cannot now sail until Monday. Irritation tactics have been practised on the waterfront for some time past, a “Dominion” reporter was informed. While there had been no talk of a strike, there was certainly dissatisfaction among the watersiders, some of whom recently had refused to work ships at night. TROUBLE AT LYTTELTON Fruitless Labour Call' for Otaio By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, March 22. The New Zealand- Shipping Company’s vessel Otaio, which arrived this morning from Wellington to discharge cargo from Liverpool, has so far not yet commenced to discharge owing to a refusal of the waterside workers to work the ship. A call for labour for the Otaio was made this morning, but there was no response, although many men were idle. Later a meeting of the disputes committee was held, but it is stated the union representatives could give no reason for the men’s action.