OWNERS STAY OUT

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2727, 9 July 1925, Page 7

OWNERS STAY OUT

Refuse To Sign Maritime Agreement COMPLETE HOLD-UP IN NEXT SIX DAYS [By Electric Cable—Copyright] tAust and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received. Wednesday 9 p.m) SYDNEY, July 8. The Commonwealth Steamship Owners’ Association states it is of opinion that no good purpose will be served by meeting the Sydney Union’s delegation, as the Association will not accept the agreement entered into by the Commonwealth Line. The Association, however, will meet the delegation as a matter of courtesy. It is the general opinion in Victorian shipping circles that there will be a complete hold-up of all inter-State shipping within the next .six days. At Brisbane, a mass meeting of seamen endorsed the Sydney branch’s decision to give notice at home porta on July 14th. TO TIB UP THE SHIPS. DECISION OF VICTORIAN AND NEW SOUTH WALES UNIONS. MELBOURNE, July S. A mass meeting of the Victorian seasen endorsed the resolution carried by the Sydney branch union to tie up all inter-State vessels on ,14th July, and also resolved that every effort should be made to harrass the Government, should it attempt to report any unionist. A protest was made against the imprisonment of Noel Lyons in New Zealand, and the executive of the union was given power to take steps to have him released. PRIVATE OWNERS BACK OUT. NOT PARTY TO AGREEMENT. MELBOURNE, July 7. At the conclusion of its meeting the Steamship Owners’ Association announced that thb agreement between the Commonwealth Line and the transport group had not affected the association’s policy. UN lON DEPUTATION. TO PERSUADE THE ASSOCIATION SYDNEY, July 7. A deputation consisting of reprefeentatives of the unions and the Trades Hall Council is proceeding to Melbourne, with the object of conferring with the Commonwealth Steamship Owners’ Association, with a view to securing the association as a party to the agreement between the Commonwealth Line and the transport group of unions. OUTLOOK NOW BRIGHTER. WALSH AND MINIONS' ROUTED. STEAMERS REMOVED FROM BLACK LIST. (Received Thursday, 1.5 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 8. The Marine transport group carried two important resolutions, as a result of which the shipping deadlock took a less serious aspect. The first resolution decided that the Commonwealth steamers Dilga and Eromanga, which had been “black” for some time, be declared white. This followed a conference between the Federal Premier and Mr. Lang. At a later meeting, the group decided to declare the North Coast Company's steamer “white.” This steamer, previously declared “black,” was the cause Of the men refusing to work her at Mart’s dock. It is probable the dock will be open again in the course of a few r days. With these matters settled, the dispute locally resolves itself into a battle between, the Seamen’s Federation and the inter-State companies. The Seamen's Union has notified the owners of inter-State vessels that it requires a reply by July 14th whether the dispute clause will be inserted in the articles by that date, the men holding a stop-work meeting to consider the replies. By that time, other ships, however, will be involved, as it is the present intention of the Union that home port men give notice on all inter-State vessels arriving at their ports after July 10th. This will have the effect of tying up each steamer in turn, as no response will be made to call for men to take their places. The decision to lift the ban on the Hunter was reached after a long and stormy meeting, Messrs. Walsh and Johannson strenuously resisting the proposal, but eventually they and their minority were routed. It is reported that Mr. Lang is interviewing the directors of Mort’s dock on Thursday and it is believed work will be resumed there either on Thursday or Friday.