POSITION IN AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20901, 17 June 1931, Page 8

POSITION IN AUCKLAND.

MANY VESSELS AFFECTED. MEN INTIMATE REFUSAL. POSTPONEMENT OF SAILINGS. Twenty vessels at Auckland may bo involved in the trouble which has arisen through the refusal of cooks and stewards on New Zealand, articles to accept ;i 10 per cent, reduction in wages, applicable from to-day. The trouble experienced in connection with tho Tofua and tho Waimea on Monday developed extensively yesterday, and it is possible every coastal vessel at Auckland and Onehunga will bo involved in the dispute. Tho representatives both of tho shipping companies and of tho men decline to comment on tho situation, on tho ground., that tho dispute is being handled in Wellington. ' Tho wage reduction for cooks and stewards working under the award cf the Arbitration Court takes effect fror.i today. On receiving notice, the men have intimated their decision not to accept lower wages. Tho trouble at Auckland originated with tho cooks and stewards on the Union Company's steamers Tofua and Waimea. However, in older that, the Tofua should not be delayed in lv:r departure for Suva, an adjustment was made. Tho Waimea's trip to cast coast ports had to be cancelled yesterday owing to tho refusal of the cook and tho steward to continue at a lesser wage. As a result the whole cr6w has been paid off. Kaimanawa and Kiwitea. Similar action was taken by the company .yesterday in connection with the Kaimanawa and the Kiwitea, which are discharging at tlie Western Wharf, 'lhe stand taken by tho cooks and stewards again resulted in the crews of both vessels receiving 24 hours' notice, and they will bo paid off to-day. It had been intended to despatch the Kiwitea for Greymouth this evening, but the trip lias been cancelled. No announcement, has been made about tho Kaiinanawa's r.iovements. Two Union Company passenger steamers, the Niagara and the Mararna, were at Auckland yesterday. Tho members of the Niagara's crew, being on Australian articles, are not affected by the reduction, and the vessel sailed for Sydney last evening. tlie Marama, which arrived from Sydney yesterday morning, sailed for Wellington late last night. Tho cooks and stewards on that vessel are subject to the reduction. However, the question of reduced wages will not arise until the Marama reaches Wellington. Local Coastal Ships. In addition to the Union Company's steamers, all local coastal vessels carrying cooks and stewards governed by the award are involved. In every instance the cooks and stewards have refused to accept lower pay, but the owners have not yet decided upon a line of action, as tho matter has been referred to the Shipowners' Federation 'in Wellington. The local coasUl vessels .involved aro the Tiroa and the Margaret W. (Gisborne Sheepowners), the Pukeko (Richardson Line), the Hokianga (A. G. Frankham), and the Claymore, the Hauiti, the Hauturu, the Kawau, the Omana, the Otimai, the Rangitoto, the Taniwha, the Waka, the Toa, the Motu, the Tuhoe and the Ronaki (Northern Company). Next Move Awaited. Several of the vessels including the Margaret W. and the Pukeko at Auckland, and the Ronaki and the Hauturu at Onehunga, were to have sailed yesterday afternoon, but, owing to the dispute, departure has been postponed until, to-day in the hope that a settlement will be reached. Some of the vessels continued running without any adjustment in wages being made, while others are due to arrive from coastal ports shortly.

The prospect of normal running being restored was not bright last evening. The next move is expected to develop when the decision of the Shipowners' Federation is announced from Wellington.