UNION ORDER DEFIED

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1946, Page 6

UNION ORDER DEFIED

SEAMEN ADHERE TO STRIKE DECISION GREY BAR NOW UNWORKABLE It is understood that at a meet- ; ing this morning, the crews of the four vessels tied up at Greymouth because of the dispute over - heating and lighting, again refused to take the ships to sea. There is now a considerable southerly swell on the bar and the port is unworkable, so that, even if the strike had ended to-day, it would have been too late to prevent further delay.

In spite of the fact that the crews were instructed by their union to put to sea they stated yesterday that the strike would continue until heating and lighting arrangements which they considered satisfactory, were made. Heat and light on board ships in port until 11 p.m. each day have been granted by the authorities but it appears that the crews are demanding a 24-hours service.

In present circumstances this would involve additional work by the engineering staff and would curtail the amount of time engineers could spend ashore. An alternative method to the provision of light from the ships’ dynamos and steam heating from the engine-room, would be the installation of transformers to convert the shore supply of electricity, an alternating current of 240 volts, to the 110 volts, direct current, of the ships’ reticulation systems. It is understood that the striking seamen are asking for the installation of these transformers.

The Poolta, Gabriella and Holmlea are carrying coal for the North Island, where shortages of gas and electricity are threatened. The Foxton, with timber for Patea, will now miss the spring tides necessary for her to enter that port. A spokesman for the engineers on the Holmlea said this morning that there was no dissension between the crews and the engineers, who were abiding by the decision of the tribunal and providing lighting and heating up to 11 o’clock at night. WESTPORTMEETING REAFFIRMS DECISION (P.A.) WESTPORT, July 19. There was no change in the shipping hold-up at Westport to-day. The striking seamen held a further meeting and re-affirmed their decision not to take to sea the eight vessels detained at this port. Another meeting will be held on the return of the delegate sent to the council meeting at Wellington on Wednesday. In the meantime rough weather has caused the bar to deteriorate, making it impossible for any ships to leave the port, even if the seamen so desired. COAL SHORTAGE POSSIBLE IN WELLINGTON (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 18. The continued refusal of seamen to bring coal ships from the West Coast is increasing the likelihood of an acute coal shortage in Wellington next week. Stocks of gas coal and coal for the electric power station, industry, and hospitals have been eaten up during delays to coastal shipping. It is more than a week since fresh supplies have been available in most cases, and unless shipments arrive by Monday the shortage will be serious, and there is likely to be an interruption of services using coal. ■Five ships with coal for Wellington are at present held up on the West Coast. “BLESSING IN DISGUISE” TO DUNEDIN (P.A.) DUNEDIN, July 19. The shipping dispute on the West Coast has proved a blessing in disguise as far as the city gasworks are concerned. Already this week between 500 and 600 tons of coal from Westport have been received. The chairman of the Gas Committee said to-day that the only factor governing the arrival of stocks was the availability of railway trucks. Owing to the hold-up of the ships at the West Coast ports a surplus had accumulated on the wharves and there was no difficulty at present m obtaining coal, although it had not been possible to accumulate any reserves.

ELEVEN SHIPS STILL HELD AT AUCKLAND (P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 19. Although again instructed by the National Executive of the Seamen’s Union to take vessels to sea pending a decision by the executive on the dispute regarding the heating and lighting of coastal vessels, no move had been made by crews up to late this morning and 11 ships arc still held up. QUESTION OFPROSECUTION RAISED

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 19. In the House of Representatives today, Mr. Clifton Webb (Oppn.. Kaipara) gave notice to ask the Minister of Labour (Mr. O’Brien) if the action of the seamen in refusing to take the collier fleet at Westport to sea constituted a breach of the law, and, if so, did the Government propose to take steps to have the men brought to justice?