CARGO OPERATIONS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 113, 8 November 1913, Page 6

CARGO OPERATIONS

ATHENIC TO COAL SHORTLY WILLOCHRA'S MEN AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS. The Plimsoll mark of the Athenic was 6ft above water at midday to-day, when the shipping of the cargo was continued by two gangs of members of the new Wharf Labourers' Union. Another gang of men shipped the mails, which were shot down a chute into the for'ard hatch and stowed in the mail room. The probability is that coaling operations will bo commenced by the crew on MondayIt is doubtful whether the steamer will reach Home in time for Christmas, as was originally intended, unless she leaves within three or four days. The suggestion that the vessel's cargo would, not be handled by the dockers in London was emphatically refuted aboard the vessel. The informant stated that the dockers had not nearly recovered from the recent strike "which nearly starved them out, and they had no wish at present to be drawn into another struggle. At Tilbury alone, he said, there were five or six times as many wharf hands as there were along the whole of the New Zeala,nd waterfront, and they were not likely to be influenced by an industrial struggle in this far-flung part of the world. There was considerable delay before the unloading of the cargo on the Moana was resumed to-day. The firemen and seamen left the vessel last night, and this morning it is understood that the engineers refused to supply steam for working the winch. They were quite willing to keep the refrigerator machinery supplied, but considered that in the terms of their New South WaW | agreement they were not called upon to keep the winch going. The difficulty was overcome through gome of the Arbitrationists getting up steam. The fruit cargo on the Willochra is j being expeditiously handled, five 'slings operating to-day. There was no trouble between the men of the new unicn who are working the cargo and the firemen and seamen. The report that the latter had come out was not borne out by fact. On enquiring aboard a Post representative was informed that the firemen were anxious to get back to Sydney, where they signed on, and did not consider themselves involved in the present trouble. It is stated that they are awaiting instructions from Sjdney headquarters as to what action they shall | take.