COMMONWEALTH LINE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 13 April 1928, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH LINE

BOYCOTT THREATENED

United Press Association— By Electric. Teleg-aph—Copyright Australian Press Association

MELBOURNE. 12th April

It is reported that officials of the Australian Maritime Union are planning to boycott the new owners of the Commonwealth Line if the ships are placed on English articles and wages reduced. Vessels will be immediately declared "black' and no cargo will be handled, nor will any of the Line's ships be handled when they are berthing. UNION STATEMENTS (Received 13th April. 9.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Referring In the proposed boycott of the Commonwealth ships. Mr O Neil!, secretary of the Victorian branch of the Seamen's Union, said that from the moment, the ships were taken over and ciews signed on at English rates they would be declared 'black."

Union oihcials estimate that by placing them on the English articles the • v'w owners will save more than £200.0(30 annually, ami nearly 10.000 Australian seamen will be rendered idle. The interstate trade may also he affected by the change, as the Navigation Act stipulates that overseas vessels must pay Australian rates while engaged in interstate services.

Mr Bruce announced that, the newowners were not obliged to carry on interstate trade. It was only stipulated that the service between Australia and Lngland be rnniriLdtiod for a period of ten years.