WELLINGTON TRAWLERS HELD UP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 16 July 1938, Page 2

WELLINGTON TRAWLERS HELD UP

DISPUTE BETWEEN CREWS AND OWNERS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY The trawlers Futurist and Nora Niven are held up at Wellington because of the dispute between the crews and the owners. New Zealand Fisheries. Ltd. The owners, however, have , agreed to meet representatives of the i New Zealand Seamen's Union on Monday to see whether it is possible to reach a settlement.

In the meantime there is a definite i shortage of fresh fish in Wellington, the managing director of the company. Mr R. S. Alward. said yesterday. He added that it had been necessary to refuse a number of orders. If the dispute was not settled, there would be almost a fish famine within a week. Small supplies were available from other sources, but they would not nearly meet the requirements of the , public.

The dispute arose because the firemen on the trawlers wanted an additional blanket, tea towels, one cake of soap a week each, and a tablecloth. These claims. Mr Alward said, had been made when the last award was framed, but had been rejected in conciliation and arbitration proceedings. As a matter of fact, bar soap was available on board the ships for the use of the men and an extra blanket had been offered.

Mr Alward also stated that, failing a settlement of the trouble, a number of men in other departments of the company might be affected The president of the New Zealand Seamen's Union. Mr F. P. Walsh, said that the decision to hold a conference had been made on representations from the union, which was anxious that the dispute should be settled, as it in no way wished to restrict the supply of fish to the public.