SHIPPING DISPUTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 July 1925, Page 5

SHIPPING DISPUTE

SENSATION IN UNION CIRCLES

VIOLENT ATTACK ON SEAMEN’S UNION OFFICIALS “LIARS AND TRICKSTERS" (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (AusU’iLl>4u> •* UaOlH Association.) SYDNEY, July, 15. It is semi-ofiiciaily stated that unless the shipping dispute is settled almost immediately steps will he taken by the different Governments to ensure a regular service between the States. At present live out ot six states are under Labour Governments and if there is a general hold up they will he compelled to take action. The actual steps to he taken are not determined. but it is suggested that the ships might he chartered temporarily or as the nucleus of a permanent state owned shipping line. Mr Lang, questioned, said that nothing definite has yet been decided and that co-operation between the state Governments would be necessary. Nineteen members of the crew of the L’limaroa handed in notices. Ktlorts to replace them proved futile and the crew was paid off and the vessel laid up indefinitely. The Seamen's meeting on Thursday will decide whether they will grant immunity to owners appending the guarantee clause articles. Mr Walsh and Mr Fleming favour letting the men work these ships but Mr Julian linen favours a general light embracing all lines. A sensation was caused among the maritime unions by an article published in the official organ of the Federated Stewards Union at Melbourne. The article made a violent vitriolic attack on certain unnamed officials of the Seamen's Union, which it termed self confessed liars and tricksters, and suggested that the seamen should apply for re-registration, and advises them to change the leadership if they want to win. As the stewards have two representatives on the transport group, the attack is likely to he the main subject of controversy at tomorrow's meeting and is likely to cause a serious split in the maritime unions.

Volunteer crews were secured for two north coast steamers and the vessels sailed manned l>v members of t In* merchant service guild.

’The coal output, is being reduced as the railway yards are full of trucks because ships are not available to shift the coal.

REFERENCE IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

MELBOURNE, July 15. In the House of Representatives, Mr Charlton moved the adjournment of the House to discuss the shipping strike. He said that the time had arrived when some definite action should he taken by the Prime Minister to settle the trouble. He had every reason for believing that if the parties were brought together all the matters in dispute could he settled satistaotorily. lie added that if the present state of industrial turmoil existed when the American fleet arrived there was no hope of the Admiral allowing his men ashore. The motion was lost on voices. In the Senate Mr Pearce moved the suspension of standing orders to permit the introduction of a bill to amend the navigation act to allow British steamers to carry passengers on the Australian coast in the event of a complete and prolonged shipping hold up. Labour solidly opposed the introduction. The bill passed its first reading.

BRIGHTER- OUTLOOK

MELBOURNE, July 15,

The maritime union officials stilted that they were advised from Sydney that the transport group unions were in negotiations with a big section of shipowners and that there was a prospect of a partial settlement. They added that negotiations were proceeding with one of the biggest inter-state companies for a settlement on the basis of the agreement made with the Commonwealth Line and that an agreement has practically been reached. This report is confirmed. Tn the meantime the Shipowners’ Association agreed to an eleventh hour conference with the union leaders. The conference is now deliberating. The Federal cabinet is sitting considering measures to be adopted to meet the situation in the event of a strike. Air Bruce declined to give any indication of the < tovernment's intentions but said that while cabinet was prepared to meet any eventuality it would refrain from taking any precipitate action which may have tho effect of extending the dispute. The Government will enter the fight only when essential services regarded as vital to the welfare of'the community are threatened. There is no immediate intention to suspend sections of the Navigation Act to enable the oversea vessels to engage in inter-state trade, but if Australian shipping is paralised the Government will not hesitate to lift the ban now imposed upon vessels not upon the Australian register. The watersiders have been instructed to continue to work all vessels until the cargoes are discharged. WATERSIDERS TO WORK ALL CARGO SYDNEY. July If., A meeting of the Federal executive of the Waterside Workers Federation decided that until further notice, members work all cargo. NEW SOLTI) WALES AGAINST GOING TO AMERICA

SYDNEY. This Dav

Mr T.ang, 'Premier, announced 1 hat the New South Whiles Government would refuse to be a party with the Commonwealth Government to the suggested American loan issue. He says it will be time enough to eonsidei going to New York when lie finds London closed to him. Mr Lang considers the stringency now being experienced in London will pass off and that if would be a mistaken policy to break the long tradition of Australia's financial connection with Loudon on account of temporary difficulty that may disappear a few months lienee.

DISASTROUS EFFECT ON COAL TRADE WATERSIDERS NOT IN SYMPATHY WITH SEAMEN SYDNEY. This Dav. The scope of the shinping dispute lias extended. Fiftv vessels, involving 2500 men. are idled in Svdnrv. Twentyt’hree vessels were affected yesterday. Crave tears regarding the already disastrous effect of the strike upon the northern coal tjade ;uc expressed in

colliery circles. At present twenty-two collieries are idle. due in thirteen cases to tin* tving up "f steamers and in three eases to shortage of trucks. The watersiders’ decision to work all vessels includes those manned by volunteer crews. This is regarded as indica live of lack of sympathy between the rank arid lile of the Watersiders’ Fed erntion and Seamen's Union.

.MKI.P-orHNK. This Day. Approximately 2000 watersiders will he affected during the next few days bv the tying up ot steamers already involved.

Unusual means of defeating the refusal of the seamen to supply steam for the winches was adopted for unloading tin* Coolana. Steam was raised front donkey engines oil the wharf, thus the engines could be worked by the watersiders themselves.

Inquiries among representatives of overseas shipping companies revealed that there was disinclination anting agents to take advantage of the proposed suspension of the coastal clauses of the Navigation Act.