MORE NEGOTIATIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 190, 16 July 1925, Page 7

MORE NEGOTIATIONS

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING DISPUTE. PARTIAL SETTLEMENT POSSIBLE. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received July 16. 9.10 a.m. Melbourne; July is. Maritime Union oflicials stated they hud been advised from Sydney that the transport group of unions was in negotiation with a big section of the ship-owners, and that there is a prospect- of a partial settlement of the dispute. They added that negotiations were proceeding with one of the biggest inter-State companies for a settlement on the basis of the agreement made with the Commonwealth Line, and that an agreement . had practically been reached. This report is not confirmed..

In the meantime, the Shipowners’ Association agreed to an eleventh hour com fcrence with' the union leaders. The conference is now deliberating. The Federal Cabinet is sitting, and considering measures to . be adopted to meet the situation in the event of a; strike. Mr ■Bruce (Premier) declined to give any indication of the Government’s intentions, but said that while Cabinet is prepared to meet any eventuality, it would refrain from taking any. precipitate action which might have the effect of extending the dispute. The Government would enter the fight only when essential services, regarded as vital to the welfare of the community, were threatened. There was no immediate intention to suspend sections of the Navigation Act to enable oversea vessels to engage in inter-State trade, hut ff Australian shipping were paralysed the Government would not hesitate to lift the ban now imposed upon vessels not upon the Australian register.

The watersiders had been instructed to continue to work all vessels until the cargoes were discharged. 11l the House of 1 Representatives. Mr Charlton moved the adjournment of the House to discuss tho shipping strike. lie said the time had arrived when some definite .action should be taken by the Prime Minister to settle the trouble. He had every reason for believing that if the parties were brought together, all matters in dispute could be settled, satisfactorily. He added that if the present slate of industrial turmoil existed when the American fleet arrived there would he no hope of tho Admiral allowing his men ashore. The motion was lost on the voices.—Press Association. NAVIGATION ACT. PROPOSED AMENDMENT. Received July 16. 8.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, July 15. In the Senate, Senator Pearce moved the suspension of the Standing Orders to permit of the introduction of a bill to amend the Navigation Act to allow British steamers to carry passengers on the Australian coast in the event of a complete and prolonged shipping hold-up. Labour solidly opposed its introduction, but the bill was read a first time.—Press Association. INTER-STATE SERVICE. ACTION MAY BE TAKEN. Received July 16. 8.5 a.m SYDNEY, July 15. It is semi-oflicially stated that unless the shipping dispute is settled almost immediately steps will be taken by the different Governments to ensure a regular service between the States. At present, five out of the six States are under Labour Governments and if there should be a general holdup they would be compelled to take action. Tlie actual .steps to be taken have not been determined, but it is suggested that ships might bo chartered temporarily or as a nucleus of a permanent State-owned shipping line. Mr Lung (Premier of New South Wales) when questioned, suid that nothing definite had yet been decided and that co-operation between the State Governments would be necessary.

Nineteen members of tho crew of the Ulimaroa have handed in their notices. Efforts to replace them have proved futile and the crow lias been paid off and the vessel laid up indefinitely. Tho Seamen's Union meeting on Thursday will decide whether it will grant immunity to owners appending the guarantee clause to the ships’ articles. Messrs Tom Walsh and Fleming favour letting the men work these ships, but Air Johaunscn favours a general light embracing all lines.—Press Association.

UNION SENSATION. ATTACK ON OFFICIALS. Received July 16, 8.35 a.m. SYDNEY, July 15. A sensation has been caused among the maritime unions by an article published in the official organ of the Federated Stewards’ Union, Melbourne. The article made a violent and vitriolic attack on certain unnamed officials of tho Seamen’s Union, which it termed “Self-confessed liars and tricksters,” and suggested that the seamen should apply for re-registration, and advises them to change their leadership if they meant to win. As the stewards have representatives on the transport group the attack is likely to be the main subject of controversy at to-morrow’s meeting, and is likely io cause a serious split in the maritime unions.

Volunteer crews were secured for two North Coast steamers and tho vessels sailed manned by members of the Merchant Service Guild.

’Tlie coal output is being reduced, as the railway yards arc full ot trucks because ships arc not available to shift the.coal. — Press Association.

WATERSIDERS’ DECISION. WILL WORK IN AIEANTIAIE. Received Julv 16 3.5 a.m. SYDNEY, July 15. A meeting of the Federal executive of tho Watersidcrs’ Federation decided that until further notice, members should work all cargo. —Press Association. THE IDLE SHIPS. ALREADY FIFTY IN SYDNEY. Received July 16. 10.5 a.m SYDNEY, July 16. Tlie scope of the shipping dispute lias extended. Fifty vessels, involving 8500 men. are idle in Sidney. Twenty-three vessels were affected yesterday. Grave fears regarding the already disastrous effect of the strike upon the northern coal trade are expressed in colliery circles. At present 22 collieries are idle, due in 13 cases to the tying up of steamers, and in three eases to the shortage of. trucks. The watersidcrs’ decision to work all vessels includes those manned by volunteer crews. This is regarded as indicative of lack of sympathy between the rank and file of the Watersiders’ Federation and the Seamen's Union. —Press Association. WATERS’! D ERS AFFECTED. Received July 16. 10.5 a.m. MELBOLi RN E, July 16. Approximately 2000 watersiders will be affected during the next few days by the tying up of the steamers already involved. An unusual means of defeating the refusal of the seamen to supply steam for winches was adopted for the unloading of the Coolann. Bteam was raised from donkey engines on the wharf, and thus the engines could be worked by the watersiders themselves.

Inquiries among representatives of the overseas shipping companies revealed that there is a disinclination among the agents lo take advantage of the proposed sus-; pension of the coastal clauses of the Navigation Act. —Press Association.