MARITIME TROUBLE

Northern Advocate, 4 May 1933, Page 6

MARITIME TROUBLE

MORE VESSELS AFFECTED POSITION STILL OBSCURE. TRADE OF PORT DISLOCATED. (Per Press Association—Copyright.} AVELLINGTON, This Day. No settlement of the dispute between the shipowners and the Seamen’s Union was arrived at yesterday, with the result that the hold-up of shipping was intensified by the addition of several vessels to those already detained. The only ships to leave port yesterday were the ferry steamer Rangitira, which sailed at the usual time for Lyttelton, and the small cargo steamer Tecs, which left at a late hour for Dunedin. Members of the Seamen’s Union met at 8 o’clock yesterday, and held several lengthy sessions during the day. AYhat transpired is not known, union officials declining to make any statement. Apparently it was deeicled to continue Un-hold-up.

It is understood that the crews of the liners Monowai and Atauugauui, which are among the vessels affected, were given 24 hours’ notice of the termination of their engagement at 5 o’clock last evening. The trouble has extended to the Pieton steamer Tamahine, and her usual sailing was cancelled. Other ships held up last night were the cargo vessels Waimarino. -Awahmi, Gale and Port AVhangarei. Ships due to arrive today are the ferry steamer Maori, the cargo steamers AVaiuui, from Melbourne via Southern ports; Kapiti, Holmdale, and Calm from Lyttelton; Kaimai from Greymouth; Inaha from Patea; Canopus from AVcstport; Poolta from Gisborne; and Gael from Hokitika.

The Monowai and Maunganui, which were scheduled to leave on Tuesday for Auckland and Sydney respectively, were flying their "Blue Peters" all day, but as no settlement was reached their sailings were again cancelled. Notice to the crew of termination of their engagements can bo taken as an indication that unless a settlement of the trouble is reached beforehand, all hands will be paid off this afternoon. The Maunganui, in her ordinary course, should have sailed in time to arrive at Sydney on Saturday, and leave there again next week on her return voyage to San Francisco. The Monowai was scheduled to, leave Auckland on Friday for Sydney, but in the circumstances she cannot fulfil the arrangement.

The Nelson ferry steamer Arahura was to have made a daylight run to Nelson and back yesterday, but this arrangement also had to be cancelled, AUCKLAND WATERFRONT. NOT AFFECTED. (Special to “Northern Advocate.") AUCKLAND, This Day. There is no disaffection on the Auckland waterfront, the shipping service proceeding as usual.

NEW TEEMS REFUSED

WAIPIATA DETAINED

(Per Pres* Association.-—Copyright.?

DUNEDIN, This Day.

The Union Company’s coastal steamer Waipiata, which was scheduled to sail last evening, could not be cleared, as the men refused to sign on under new articles. The ship articles had expired and new ones were prepared under the conditions outlined in the message received from Wellington. The seamen are unwilling to accept the terms offered. No alteration in wages or rates of overtime was proposed in the now articles.

No other ship at Dunedin is affected, the Union Company’s vessel Opilii and the motor vessel Holmglen sailing at their appointed times last night.

ANOTHER PORT INVOLVED.

WAIKAWA D RLAY ED. (Per P-ass Association.—Cooyr!{rm.> ■CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The shipping trouble has spread to Lyttelton, The trans-Pacilie freighter, Waikawa, was to have sailed at 11.34 this morning for Dunedin, but following a meeting, her crew decided to await instructions from Wellington before leaving. Meantime the ship is tied up. AERIAL MAIL SERVICE. ELEN HEI M-WELLIN G TON.

(Per Press Association.—Cooyrl{rht.) BLENHEIM, This Day. Fn co-operation with the Postal Department, the Blenheim business men have arranged an air-mail service across Cook Strait during the seamen’s strike. A PROPER TIE-UP. CREWS GIVEN NOTICE. {Special tn “Northern Advocate.") WELLINGTON, This Day Tils understood that the crews of all coastal and intercolonial vessels in po ft, with the exception of (he ferry steamers, wore given 21 hours’ nolice as from H p.m, yesterday. The ferry steamer Maori, for Lyttelton, is expected to be the only boat sailing from Wellington to-night. The Seamen's Union meeting this morning lasted dt hours, after which it was stated that there was ho information for publication. It is understood that the Executive of the union is meeting this afternoon.