MARITIME TROUBLES

Evening Star, Issue 16550, 9 October 1917, Page 3

MARITIME TROUBLES

MENTIONED IN PARLIAMENT. [Fnoii Our Parliamentary Reforteh.] WELLINGTON, October 9. For some fortnight or so an overseas vessel has been lying at Taranaki street wharf, Wellington, fully loaded, and although appeal is made daily for labor to unload her there has so far never been any response. The officials of the Waterside Workers Union state that no resolution has been carried declaring the vessel ''black," and that the men are acting individually and entirely on their own initiative in declining to work her. In the House last night Mr ' Isitt asked whether the Government intended to take action m the matter. He understood that it was costing £BO per day to have the vessel laid up.—The Prime Minister replied that the Government had not yet taken action. He knew exactly what was taking place, the position having been brought officially under his notice. He hoped to be able to make a more definite statement in a few clays. Another aspect of the maritime trouble was brought up by Mr Poole, who asked Whether the Government were doing anything to settle the strike of seamen on the coastal steamers.—The Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister of Marine) said that the Government were considering the matter very carefully. A conference had been held on Saturday, at which the Hon Mr Massey had presided, and which he himself had also attended. It was the earnest wish of the Government that this unfortunate strike should be settled as earlv as possible. When a settlement did take place it must be within the law. 'He had received a telegram from Auckland urging the Government to take drastic action He assured the House that the Government sincerely desired an-early settlement of the matter in accordance with the dignities of the law. .

A mass meeting of men employed at the Eastown (Wanganui) Railwav Workshops yesterday passed a.resolution stronglv protesting against the inaction of the Government regarding the high cost of living and demanding that Parliament take action to reduce the price of commodities or grant an increase of at least 2s per day in the wages of railway sen-ants.