WITHOUT A CREW.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2165, 3 July 1922, Page 5

WITHOUT A CREW.

LARGS BAY DEADLOCK. ALL STATE SHIPS TO BE PAID OFF. ULTIMATUM IGNORED. [By Electric Cable —Copyright] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Revived Sunday, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 2. A deadlock his been reached over the Commonwealth shipping 1 trouble. Up to the time of the expiry of the ultimatum; not a single seaman had presßnted himself for engagement on the Largs Bay. Under the terms of the ultimatum, therefore, practically the whole of the Commonwealth ships will be paid off as they arrive. The position is causing great anxiety in shipping circles, and the next move is anxiously awaited. [A mass rne-2ting of seamen carried a resolution asking the management of the Commonwealth State shipping to institute an inquiry into the cause of the dismissal of the Largs Bay's boatsfain. The request was telegraphed to Melbourne, from which a reply was received refusing it, and re-affirm-ing the management's intention to choose its own crew. An ultimatum was also issued by the management stating that, unless the union mans the ship unconditionally by noon on Saturday, all the Commonwealth vessels will be laid up on arrival. The Commonwealth fleet consists of 43 vessels, 600 officers and engineers and 4000 seamen. It is thought that, in the event of a general hold-up the. vessels will t>e registered under English articles, whereby the cost of running will be much reduced. The master of the Largs Bay, one of the Commonwealth liners, objected to one of the boatswains as a member of his crew, and the man was accordingly discharged. The seamen thereupon refused to join the ship unless the boatswain was reinstated.]