AUCKLAND POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 14, 9 May 1933, Page 8

AUCKLAND POSITION

TEN VESSELS IDLE

TRADING AFFECTED

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND; May 8. The seamen's dispute resulted in ten vessels being rendered idle at Auckland today. In addition to the Union Company's steamer Wingatui, the crew of which was paid off on Saturday afternoon, the vessels involved include seven Northern Company's ships, ~six of which were to have sailed for coastal ports during the day. > In the morning, the crews of the Union Company's steamers Karma' and Waimea, and of the Gisborne Sheep Farmers' steamer Tiroa, were requested to accept the new terms offered by' the shipowners, but the men refused, and were then given twenty-four hours' notice of dismissal. The Karma was paid off this afternoon and the Waimea and Tiroa will be paid off tomorrow. ■■,•■■' .; The decision regarding action to be . taken by the members of the Seamen's Union employed by the Northern Company was delayed until later in the day to Jillow the matter to be discussed at a'j meeting of members held during,the afternoon.*,-■'■ The meeting ended about 4 o'clock, and afterwards the men declined to go to sea under the new, agreement,which', includes 5 per cent, reduction in wages. All men were given twenty-four hours' notice, and departure of the vessels was postponed indefinitely. ' The crews will be paid off tomorrow, . Apart from some inconvenience, the interruption of southern cargoes has caused little, difficulty to trade in the cityy and merchants anticipate no seri--ous trouble unless the hold-up is prolonged into next week. The potato market is principally affected, and as a •result of the,sudden shortage, prices ; have risen, during the last week from £6 10s a ton through stores to £10 a ton, with supplies, difficult to 'obtain at that. Wheat stocks are not large, and prices are firmer,.but other influences are also operating in this market. Pollard is also in. short supply and dearer. The Auckland, mills cannpt cope with the demand, and are rationing their outputs. In other7 foodstuff lines the position is fairly normal,, although some increased inquiry was noticeable on behalf of houses which have been caught.with low stocks.