DIRTY CARGO

Grey River Argus, 22 April 1925, Page 5

DIRTY CARGO

ON s.s. KAKAPO. DISPUTE OVFR HANDLING. April 21. Trouble arose to-day over the discharge of the Union Company’s cargo steamer Kakapo, which arrived at an curly hour this morning from Walpole Island with a cargo of bagged guano. Six gangs were engaged to work the vessel, but when the steamer berthed at the Centra] Wharf, only three gangs were ready to commence discharge. The hatches were lifted, and everything was ready for unloading, when the. Secretary of the Watersiders’ Union ordered the men to cease work. Consequently the hatches were again covered, and the steamer remained idle. Tho Union Company state that the men were offered 2/74d per hour to work the ship, but that offer was not accepted. The award wage for the working of guano is 2/4£d per hour in excess of that for the handling of ordinary cargo. A similar situation arose when the Kakapo arrived at Auckland some months ago with the same kind of cargo. On that occasion the vessel was idle for several days before an agreement was reached. Na decision had been reached tonight.