SHIPPING DEADLOCK

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 106, 8 May 1933, Page 8

SHIPPING DEADLOCK

MOVE FOR SETTLEMENT

MEETING IN PROGRESS

A definite move with the object of endeavouring to arrive at a settlement of the present shipping hold-up -was made today, when,-at the request of the New Zealand' Alliance of Labour, it was agreed that a meeting should be held at which jepreseiitativea would be present from the Alliance, the Seamen's Union, the Gook3' and Stewards' Union, and the shipowners. The conference commenced at 2.15 p.m. • Since Saturday there has been little change in the position generally. The Lyttelton ferry service was maintained, and the Arahura, with a volunteer crew, left at 7.30 p.m. for Nelson. A demonstration against the engagement of free labour was made by a body of strikers near the Queen's Wharf gates early on Saturday evening, before the departure of the Arahura. A strong force of police was present, however, the wharf was cleared, and the Arahura sailed without further incident. Upon the arrival from Picton at 9.20 p.m. of the Tamahine (also a volunteer labour ship), a small crowd of people congregated outside the wharf gates, but they were not permitted to remain by the police. Isolated cases of interference with volunteer labour were reported during the weekend. Some time on Saturday evening the mooring ropes of the Union Co.'s tug Natone and the Government steamer Janie Seddon were interfered with, but neither ship broke loose from the wharf. Dissatisfaction was expressed this morning by watersiders who refused to unload the Holmglen, which arrived at Wellington on' Saturday from Lyttelton, manned only by officers and engineers.