AGAINST BIG GODS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11249, 29 June 1922, Page 6

AGAINST BIG GODS

COMMONWEALTH LINE HONEST EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH CONDITIONS. JOB CONTROL WOULD BE FATAL Hr Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Juno 28, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jane 27. Mr H. B. Larkin, of the Common wealth Shipping Line, interviewed by tiie Australian Press Association, made reference to tho lxirgs liay. He pointed out that the Australian unions were playing the game of shipping competitors who desire nothing more than the failure of tho Commonwealth Line. If successful they would endeavour to acquire the liners and transfer them to the British register, thereby escaping the obligations of the Australian. Navigation Act, including the right to employ coloured crews. Mr Larkin claimed that he had loyally complied with the conditions of the Navigation Act, had invariably employed unionists, had given Australians preference, and had complied with the Australian conditions of labour, wages, and hours. Notwithstanding those handicaps, from which competitors were exempted, lie had iust succeeded in making the lines payable, but if job control was imposed and steamers were held up, involving a loss of £IO,OOO to £20,000 every voyage, the liners would speedily become unprofitable and inevitably be laid up.