OYSTER DISPUTE ENDS

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 10

OYSTER DISPUTE ENDS

MIN READY TO PDT ODT SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO ACT The oyster dispute took a sudden turn yesterday, when the men informed the merchants that they would be prepared to take the fleet to sea, reports the ‘ Southland Times.’ They stated they were prepared to work under the existing terms of employment, subject to any adjustments made by a speci-ally-constituted disputes committee of which the industrial magistrate, Mr J. A. Gilmour, would be chairman. It was hoped that fresh oysters will make their delayed arrival on the market this afternoon, but a strong south-westerly wind last night did not suggest that dredging would be possible to-day. Instructions to the men to resume work at once and to refer the points in dispute to a special tribunal were received through the secretary of the Seamen’s and Oystermen’s Union, Mr W. Clark, who has been in "Wellington since the dispute last week.' It is understood that the Government took action to terminate tlie hold-up and to set up a special disputes committee under the Strikes and Lock-outs Emergency Regulations, 1939. Representatives of both parties will constitute the committee with Mr Gilmour as chairman. It is understood that the committee will meet within the next two weeks. Practically the only point in dispute; is the extent to which the bags of oysters shall be filled. This will be determined by the disputes committee, and both parties have indicated that they will be prepared to accept the finding. The termination of the hold-up is welcomed bv the merchants and by the public, which has been deprived of oysters for a week at the opening of the season, when they arc most popular. The first five days of the season were ideal for dredging, but the weather was quite unsuitable to-day. If a strong wind continues, it may be several days before the fleet can put to sea. ALL-ROUND LOSSES AUSTRALIAN SHIPMENTS HELD UP [Special to the ‘ Stak.’] INVERCARGILL, February 21. An increasingly serious view was being taken of the loss of trade and possible future markets through the tieing up of the 12 trawlers at Bluff. It was stated that any inconvenience suffered by Now Zealanders through lack of oyster delicacies was as nothing compared with the loss of sterling funds through the hold-up in the export of fresh and canned oysters to Australia, where from 90 to 95 per cent, of the cannings are shipped. It is estimated that the export value to New Zealand of the canned oysters sent to Australia is from £25,000 to £30,000 annually, and that about £3,000 worth of fresh oysters are sent each year to an expanding overseas market, mainly in Melbourne. The ships’ crews have now been idle for five days, and the loss of wages for the men on the 12 boats for that period is estimated at £900; though, it is believed, some of the men have in the meantime taken part-time employment on the wharves. An average day’s catch of oysters, it is stated, is about 60 sacks, which at the present rates of pay, would return to the master £3 9s fid, the engineer £3 4s 3d, and to each member of the crew £2 17s 9d a day.