ENGINEERS' THREAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15480, 11 December 1913, Page 8

ENGINEERS' THREAT.

CONCERN IN AUSTRALIA.

LOYALTY OF THE UNIONS.

ALL REPORTS FAVOURABLE.

no coAl FOR LYTTELTON.

By Tblecraoh-Prcss Association—Copyright

(Received December 10, 7.20 p.m.)

Sydney, December 10.

A special meeting of over 70 members of the Institute of Marine Engineers, attended by practically all the Union Company's engineers in port, decided yesterday, by an overwhelming majority, that, while allowing discretion whore perishable cargo is concerned, rule 87 must be loyally observed. This rule prohibits members from assisting by hand in tho keeping up of steam, working the winches, or in any way taking the place of unskilled labour.

Tho threat of the engineers not to resume work on New Zealand* vessels is Occasioning concern. The seamen are also apparently unreliable in this direction. Mr. W. M. Hughes says that all reports are quite favourable .so' far as the position taken up by the conference of unionists is concerned. All the unions are now loyally carrying out the policy laid down by the conference. Ho adds: "We are now waiting and hoping sincerely that tho matters at isstio will soon be settled as wo proposed, viz., by arbitration. "Die conference received with very great satisfaction the news that Mr. Holman (Premier of New South Wales) had cabled to Mr. Massey (Prime Minister of New Zealand) hoping that tho Dominion Government would use its influence in favour of arbitration."

The Mnheno's cargo, which was verv light, was bandied by the permanent staff. The coal trimmers at Newcastle refused to fid Jhe Maheno's bunkers, and tho crew and office stiff had to undertake the work The charterers of tho steamer Brisbane have decided that its cargo of coal will bo taken to Melbourne instead of Lyttelton. The vessel thereupon went to the cranes at Newcastle, and was loaded with more coal, which was trimmed without further trouble.

Steamers have been chartered to carry coal to the Dominion, including two Japanese, two South African, and several English cargoes. °