MARITIME TROUBLE

Northern Advocate, 15 June 1931, Page 5

MARITIME TROUBLE

VESSELS STILL HELD UP AWARD DISPUTATION. MEAT LEFT IN TRUCKS. (Per Presi Association. —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. The Union Company’s steamer Waimarino is still held up by the refusal of members of the Cooks and Stewards’ Union to sign fresh articles embodying the 10 per cent, reduction in wages, in accordance with the Arbitration Court’s general order. Waterside workers declined to work overtime on the Port Fairy and the Port Huon yesterday afternoon, and in consequence both vessels were idle after mid-day. The hold-back of the Port Huon was not a very serious matter, as the ship w r as discharging, but in the case of the Port Fairy, which is loading for London, seven trucks of frozen meat were left on the wharf. The meat, which came from Feilding, is in insulated vans. “The position is unchanged,” stated an official of the Union Company yesterday. He also denied a rumour that the Waiinarino’s cargo had been transhipped to the Maheno, which was to sail last evening to Liverpool. The Katoa has not yet signed off, but the men have stated that they will not accept the new rates. The office of the union officially de.nied all knowledge of the matter. There was also some trouble with the stewards of the Maori at Lyttelton yesterday. The difficulties were overcome, but there is every possibility of further developments. It is understood that officers and engineers are not satisfied to accept a 10 per cent, cut in salaries if the seamen are permitted to draw their present wages without reduction. The seamen work under an agreement mutually arrived at between the union and the employers, and this agreement does not come within the jurisdiction ’ of the Arbitration Court. The agreement between the officers and engin- ' ears and the employers has expired, , and they have been notified that re- * ( duced payment will operate this week. , A meeting of the Marine Engineers’ ‘ Institute was held yesterday, when it was understood the position of memhers in regard to the 10 per cent, cut ( was discussed.