THE SHIPPING DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18295, 11 January 1923, Page 8

THE SHIPPING DISPUTE.

SUSPENSION OF THE ACT. BEQUEST FOB BEMOVAL. POSSIBLE LABOUR ACTION. SEAMEN AND THE ALLIANCE. [BY TELEGRAPH. COSBEStGNDENT.] 1 5vELLIKGTON. Wednesday. Representatives, of the Alliance of Labour and the Seamen's Union met the Prime Minister and the Minister for Labour to-day, regarding the dispute between the seamen and the shipowners, asking particularly that the suspension of the Shipping Act should be removed. The meeting ' -was private, and neither side has any statement for the press. The deputation was introduced by Mr. P. Fraser, and among those present were: Messrs. T. Brindle, president of the New Zealand Labour Party, A. L. Monteitb, B. McKeen. M. J. Mack, president of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour. W, T. Young, general secretary of the Federated ■■.Seamen's Union, and members of the executive of the Alliance of Labour and the National Council of the Seamen's. Union. la the event cc the Government refusiti% to remove the suspension of the Shipping Act it is not known what the nest step of the seamen will be, although it is suggested that the union may call the dispute off, and allow the men to get back to the ships on the best terms possible. This would mean that the unionists would acquiesce in the shipowners' determination not to dismiss the qualified non-unionist seamen which, up to the present, has been, the chief stambung block -in the way of a settlement of the trouble. , .'■ Alliance of Labour SuppoU. On the other hand, the Seamen's Union mav elect to place' the dispute in the hands of the Alliance of Labour, which has already publicly expressed its willingness to give the seamen all the support in its power. The fact that the Alliance of Labour was represented on this morning's deputation, lends colour". to '■:■ the belief that there have been negotiations between the union and the alliance already. A meeting of the executive of the alliance may be called within a few days in regard to the ballot that has been taken. It is not. yet disclosed how the watersiders have voted, bat it is thought that if they have balloted against accepting their own award the result may be kept a secret until the Alliance of Labour ballot is counted. The eearoen. in all probability would cast their votes in the ■ alliance ballot in favour of a strike if by so doing they considered that there was a possibility' of all awards reducing wages being reviewed by.the authorities, and especially in view of the fact that they are the only organisation which ha* so far put a protest into practice. A Complicated Position. •■•■■; The whole position is somewhat complicated, for, quite apart from the alliance ballot, the seamen may prefer .to go back to work now and build up a strong fighting fund, and then resume hostilities against the shipowners when the Arbitration Court's award expires in September. Such a course of action is '.■■-:•■ understood .to have been- recommended. •■'-." If it is followed out, then it is likely that the shipowners would again man •heir ships with the free labour, and, if the seamen cancelled their registration under the '■■■■ Arbitration Act. a new union would be formed. If the watersiders have voted in favour *jf accepting their own award they. yet have to go out on strike if the majority of votes cast in' the Alliance of Labour ballot is sufficient to swamp the •■•': •wishes of the watersidors as. an individual organisation."' : <' ■"/ '.' .