SHIPPING DISPUTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 17 July 1925, Page 5

SHIPPING DISPUTE

73 VESSELS TIED UP IDLE EMPLOYEES (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (A»»»Ljru.]i i 4 N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, July 16. A meeting of seamen attended by TOO agreed that all the steamers tradingon the Australian coast except the Commonwealth Line shall forthwith come under the ban. Private owners who agreed to insert the disputed clausa in the articles arc not to be exempt. Mr Walsh outlined the interpretation of the resolution of the executive to cease work on all ships unless the clause is granted. After this the chairman announced that no purpose would tie served by prolonging the meeting. The proceedings terminated without a motion ratifying the ruling of the executive being put. The transport group met in camera but it is learned that deliberations centred upon a telegram alleged to be received from the Steamship Owners Association of Melbourne oflering a further conference with the seamen alone and suggesting that the guarantees of the seamen of no job control might be acceptable. H is stated that the group thereupon telegraphed the owners asking them to fix a date for the conference. Representatives of owners in Sydney are sceptical about, the report and incline to the belief that it emanated from the Melbourne Trades Hall Council, and was probably an inspired one. The executive of the Seamen’s Union states that it is unlikely the deadlock will he overcome by the employment of overseas steamers in the inter-state trade as the oversea owners would not avail them; elves of the right conceded by the 1 .‘deral Parliament.

Seventeen more steamers in Sydney wore affected to-day. bringing the number out of commission in Sydney to 39. There are now 73 vessels tied up in Australian ports. There are 2590 employees idle in Sydney as a result of the hold up. 'Foodstuffs from other states have advanced in price. A special meeting of tho State Cabinet considered the position but no announcement was made public. COAL MINES CLOSED SYDNEY, July 10. The chairman of the Northern Colliery Association states that within a week 75 per cent of the collieries in the northern tield will be rendered idle as a result, of the shipping hold up. MELBOURNE, July 10. The shipping companies appealed to the consumers of coal to use every economy in the consumption of coal as the shipping strike had stopped the usual supplies. Companies, however, guarantee to supply regular customers with an average daily quantity. ADVERTISING FOR CREWS SYDNEY, This Day.

The Now South Wales coastal Steamship Owners’ Association decided to advertise for crews to man all constnl vessels, OWNERS INSIST ON GUARANTEES MELBOURNE, This Day. A deputation to the disputes committee asked the Steamship Owners’ Association whether there was some basis on which negotiations could proceed. The owners stated that guarantees that the agreement would be honoured must come from the seamen, and they would insist on effective guarantees from the seamen against job control. This reply was communicated to the marine transport group of unions in Sydney. AMENDMENT TO NAVIGATION ACT MELBOURNE, This Day. The Senate after a lengthy debate passed an amendment of the Navigation Bill by lti to 9. BRISBANE, This Day. Owing to the shipping strike the Maryborough Sugar Company has postponed the commencement of crushing. Many men in the district are waiting for the crushing season to start.