WORK TO CEASE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 2 December 1927, Page 5

WORK TO CEASE

ON ALL STEAMERS IN ALL PORTS

SEAMEN BEING PAID OFF

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association)

MELBOURNE, Ist Dec.

The combined conference of overseas shipping representatives and Commonwealth steamship owners to-day, issued tlm following statement: “As it has been clearly apparent that the Wharf Labourers’ Union and its members will not comply with all the terms and conditions of all awards, agreements, and decisions of the Board of Reference, work on all steamers in all ports is to cease tonight.” This statement, however does not refer to the Tasmanian services, which will still lie maintained. It means that from 5 o’clock to-night all steamers, both overseas and inter-Statc, with the exception of the Commonwealth and Patrick Lines and the Tasmanian services, will be tied up in every port in Australia. It is'estimated that between 70 and 80 inter-State steamers will be idlt?d and some >2OOO seamen paid off and returned to their home, ports. Shipping companies trading within a State are outside the dispute. t . . A few lheji offered at to-day’s pick-ups and not one offered for work oh the conditions enforced by the owners.

When the steamer Delkera arrived from Sydney five gangs of men accepted the owner’s tei'ms and commenced unloading, but it is understood that they have no intention ,of continuing., Crews of 1 the collier Hebbtirri and the steamer Mildura have been given nritj tiee.