IDLE SHIPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 July 1925, Page 5

IDLE SHIPS

UNEMPLOYED SEAMEN EIGHT THOUSAND WILL P,E AFFECTED (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) & aj.2. Cable Association./

MELBOURNE, This Day

The shipowners’ conference decided to adjourn indefinitely owing to the tactthat, vessels are still' bring held up by the Seamen’s Union.

It was pointed out afterwards on behalf of the owners that this conduct is standing in the way of successful negotiations. Before the owners will discuss a basis for settlement, the seamen will have to withdraw their ultimatum to tie. up ships, and further will have to man ships which are at present idle. llic Victorian branch of the Seamen’s Union at a well attended meeting decided to maintain the - attitude it bad previously taken up. Unless something unforeseen happens tho decision to leavetin' ships will take effect to-day. Union officials explained later that 400 men would cease, work in Melbourne today and in a week 4000 would be idle in Australia. Ultimately 8000 seamen would be affected.

DEADLOCK EXTEN DED

SYDNEY, Julv 13.

The seamen extended the deadlock to all companies trading on the. Australian coast. All ships will automatically be tied up as they reach port. When the Howard Smith steamer Cc.oma. arrived the men gave notice and the ship was tied up indefinitely. Calls were made for men to replace the crew, but were futile.

The crews of two North Coast Company’s steamers also gave, notice and efforts to replace them were unavailing.

Until a. settlement- is reached no workers will be forthcoming for any but Commonwealth Line steamers.- A strong section of the Seamen's - l/liion favours making the fight a general one, and including this line.

Thor Burns, l’hilp Company was also dellurel biack, althoug they agmed tdo the meiYs terms. This decision was reached because a section of the Seamen’s Union executive believes the Company is bound up financially with the interstate companies. The transport group unions met and adjourned until Tuesday, when the result of the conference with the owners at Melbourne may be known.

AT BRISBANE

BRISBANE, This Dav

A lumbers of the crews of several vessels have given notice that they will leave the ships to-day. The number of unemployed seamen will be about- 150.

MELBOURNE CONFERENCE

MELBOURNE, July 13

A conference of the Commonwealth Shipowners’ Association attended by owners from other States outside the Association lias commenced with the object- of ensuring that the terms of settlement of the shipping dispute be acceptable to all shipowners. Beyond issuing a statement that more ships are being laid up and that the immediate safeguarding of owners’ interests will be the. leading feature of the conference, no announcement, was made.

NO FINALITY REACHED MELBOURNE, July 13. The owners’ conference sat till a late hour without reaching finality. A mass meeting of seamen decided to give 24 hours’ notice oil Tuesday on vessels at home ports belonging t-o owners not granting the guarantee clause.

INTERSTATE VESSELS HELD Hl*

SYDNEY. Julv' 13

The Seamen’s Union instructed members not to man. any interstate or coastal vessels requiring crews'.

-Already two coastal and one interstate vessels were held up and unless an eleventh hour settlement is reached all the crews will he withdrawn.