MARINE COOKS' DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19939, 7 May 1928, Page 9

MARINE COOKS' DISPUTE.

SUSPENSION OF AWARD. RESULT REMAINS OBSCURE. FEELING OF PESSIMISM. (.Received May 6, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. May 5. The position which has arisen as a result of the suspension of the Marine Cooks Union's award remains obscure. It is believed that the shipowners have prepared plans, but they maintain strict secrecy and their interests are being directed from Melbourne. The members of the union believe an attempt will be made to man the Ulimaroa—which should normally leave for Auckland next week—with volunteer cooks. The men have held no meeting so far. -Apparently they are awaiting developments. Feeling is said to be pessimistic. STRIKE INEVITABLE. GENERAL HOLD-UP OF SHIPS. OWNERS TO FRAME POLICY. SYDNEY, May 5. In suspending the award of the Marine Cooks' Union yesterday in the Arbitration Court at Melbourne Chief Justice Dethridge made it clear that he did so because the direct action of the union was unreasonable inasmuch as it had had an opportunity of having its grievances dealt with by the Court, which had formed no opinion as to their merits or demerits. Whether the benefits of the award would be restored to the cooks or not was a matter largely dependent upon themselves. The suspension of the award means that the shipowners may employ nonunion cooks on the former's own terms. This will apply to all the vessels on the coast. The cooks already employed will be required to agree to this when their articles expire. They are certain to refuse to do so. The union will thereupon order all the cooks to strike. A statement to this effect was to-day made by the secretary of the union, who said extreme action was inevitable and would result in the general hold-up of all inter-State vessels. The shipowners say they will be compelled to repudiate the Cooks' Union in future. Otherwise demands similar to those made upon the Huddart-Parker Company will be made upon all the inter-State companies. The chairman of the Huddart-Parker Company, Mr. W. Appleton, says a meeting of the Commonwealth Steamship Owners' Association will be held on Tuesday to determine upon their future policy. He says foreigu gold is without doubt fomenting this upheaval. He estimates the loss to the cooks to date at £70,000.