THE SHIPPING STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14807, 10 October 1911, Page 8

THE SHIPPING STRIKE.

NO SIGNS OF SETTLEMENT.

BOTH PARTIES STAND FIRM

MORE STEAMERS .. IDLE.

[BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Monday. The dispute between the mates of the smaller coastal steamers and the Shipowners' Federation appears to be as far off a settlement as Sever. This morning a special meeting of the Merchant Service Guild was held, at which was presented the suggestions made by the joint committee of the guild and federation, which met on Saturday evening. These were as follows:— " That, with a view to bringing about an amicable understanding as to the working conditions offtpfScez-s to be worked on ships concerned in this dispute, the following shall be recognised as ordinary working hours at sea and in port: At sea, 10 hours in port, eight hours. The remuneration to be allocated for any time worked in excess of these hours during any month shall be arranged between the shipowners and the officers making the claim. Should any dispute arise as to the number of hours worked or the amount of remuneration it shall be decided finally by a committee consisting of two persons elected by the guild and two persons elected by the Shipowners' Federation with a chairman to be mutually agreed upon by the parties." As a result of the meeting the following letter was forwarded to the Shipowners' Federation:—" In accordance with the circumstances arrived at on Saturday evening the committee appointed by the guild to meet your committee have placed the suggestion in regard to payment for extra work before its members at a meeting this morning, and they are unanimous in their decision to have the payment for overtime work distinctly stated. I am instructed," added the secretary, "to say that it appears to us a great pity that matters cannot now be satisfactorily arranged, as the matters at variance are reduced to two."

The Wellington branch of the Shipowners' Federation also met this morning to ; consider the same proposals referred back from the joint committee meeting on Saturday evening. ; After some debate the guild was forwarded the following letter: —"I have to advise you that at a full meeting of the Wellington branch of the federation held this morning the suggestions put forward for consideration by the joint sub-committee were carefully * considered. The meeting could not see its way to agree to any proposal which would involve the payment of overtime to officers, and I (Mr. Pry of secretary) am instructed to state that the best terms upon which the shipowners are prepared to agree to » settlement of the difficulty are on tho lines of the compromise they offered at the conference on Saturday morning. The federation expresses the hope that the guild will see its way to accept the terms offered with a view to the resumption of work, as it will be a matter of regret if the present * difficult via permitted to continue." ; The guild received the federation's reply this afternoon, and it was unanimously decided that if the employers were not willing to pay overtime the men would not work. The fleet of laid-up vessels continues to increase. The Mana and Moa paid off their crews at Wellington yesterday. The Wakatu, which is due .at Wellington early this morning from Fbxton, will pay off. The Kiripaka was laid up at' Patea.on Sunday. 'C Captain Mplntbsh and his mate, Mr. C. Croucher, returned to Wellington by train" last evening. .-] ,

DISCHARGING ' DELAYED.

WATERSIDE WORKERS' ATTITUDE [BIT TKLitdaAra—r»ESS assocutiox.] - » - - -——— TiMAB-tr," Monday. *- The steamer ; Pufciki arrived' from Greymouth, timber-laden, on j Saturday . afternoon. Two mates ) went to the Customs Office this morning and signed off, and left the ship. The Putiki was to have 'i begun diecharging this morning, but the .waterside workers •> decided not -, to work until they had communicated with the executive of the federation. ; A reply was subsequently received that the executive had not finally decided on the course of action . the workers should pursue, as the Merchant Service Guild had not communicated with them. The men should work until , further advised. Discharging operations were, therefore, proceeded with this afternoon. /•■■.\i : \\ .,_ > POSITION FURTHER SOUTH. THE TROUBLE MAY SPREAD. . [by Telegraph.—-press association.] - ■ Inveboahgim,; * Monday.

A" rumour afloat in Invereargill to-day that the mates of _ the Union Company a coasters intend coming out locks confirmation, but all sorts of rumours are current regarding possible happenings," in the event of shipowners not- meeting the officers, for whom there is a great deal of sympathy.. It is quite on the cards that in the event of a general strike of officers, members ot the seamen's and Waterside Workers' Unions would refuse to -work boats which would come under the ban of the Mer-, merchant Service Guild. f -'..•

News just received from the Bluff states that the mates of the steamer Breeze wish it to be distinctly understood that they are out on strike. - Actine under instructions from Captain Wilson (secretary of the Merchant Service Guild), they -will proceed with the vessel $o,' Dunedin, \ and leave her there. They also say there is no doubt that, unless their demands are acceded to, the Union Company's mates will go out.

BAPTIST CONFERENCE.

WORK IN AUCKLAND PROVINCE:

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] . r . Napier, Monday. The fifth sederunt of the Baptist Conference was held to-day in the Napier Baptist Church, the president (Mr. 11. Milligan) presiding. The reports, especially that of the Auckland province, showed that much aggressive work was being done. . The Wellington auxiliary has commenced a fresh cause in Masterton. The report of the manse fund showed that the fund was operating beneficially, but needed increased support from the churches. The report of the Bemuera Children's Home, which is the orphan institution of the denomination, though" open to children of any denomination, was presented by Rev. H. *K. Keanpton. During the year 40 children have been maintained in the home.' Many applications for admission have had to be refused on account of lack of accommodation. The committee are desirous of adding to the building, and appeal to the churches throughout the Dominion lor help to do this, and for a steady and increased income. :?

The annual ; meeting of the Baptist Women's Missionary Union was held in St. Paul's School Hall, Mrs. Driver (president) i being in , the > chair. y The \' report showed that £400 had been raised, for mission work during the year. Mrs. K. S. Gray (Christchurch) was elected president; Miss Spedding (Auckland), secretary; Mesdames Smeeton, Hjnton, Wilson. Driver, and 'Miss Bell, vice-presi-dents and Mrs. Blackburn treasurer. A resolution urging that China be released from the treaty which forces upon her the necessity of taking opium was carried. j• " ' '' ■-~■' ■ " C '