SHIPPING HOLD-UP AVOIDED

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 142, 12 March 1938, Page 12

SHIPPING HOLD-UP AVOIDED

Work Resumed At Napier DISPUTE TO BE REFERRED TO COURT Napier, March 11. Tlie deadlock which threatened a serious hold-up of work on the Napier waterfront was overcome at midday today. and the lighters were maimed and work resumed at one o’clock this afternoon. The point in dispute was considered by lhe national disputes committee at sittings held last evening, tliis morning and this afternoon, and it was finally decided that the point be referred to Hie Court of Arbitration for interpretation. Tlie dispute tiro.se out of tlie men’s claim for full pay up till live o’clock last Saturday afternoon when they were called to work but did not work because of wet weather. Tlie amount involved is £2/12/4 a man. Tlie chairman of tlie Napier Harbour Board, Mr. T. M. Geddis, sent tlie following telegram to-day to the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. JI. J. Savage, and the Hou. W. E. Barnard, M.P. for Napier: "Continuation of waterside trouble threatens cause large quantity exports being diverted Wellington. Also overseas vessels due load here are likely to be diverted. Position really •serious, and I would respectfully urge everything possible lie done restore normal operations on waterfront without delay.”

The following reply was received by Mr. Geddis from Mr. Barnard this afternoon: “Prior to receipt your'telegram I was consulting Minister Labour on position, serious consequences which I fully realised. Minister now informed me trouble been settled.” DURHAM DIVERTED No Labour Available Bv Telegraph — Press Association Hastings, March 11. The Durham, which was scheduled to arrive at Napier to-night, lias been diverted from the port because all labour available has been engaged on the Port Auckland. The Durham was scheduled to load 10.000 freight carcases and general cargo for Great Britain. WATERSIDERS WORK TITOKI AT GREYMOUTH Bv Telegraph—Press Association. Grey mouth, March 11. The Titoki was worked tins morning by watersiders, who are holding a conference witli representatives of the Seamen’s Union regarding tlie right of working of winches.