THE SHIPPING DISPUTE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11422, 19 January 1923, Page 6

THE SHIPPING DISPUTE

SETTLEMENT PROBABLE 3IEN WILLING TO RESUME ON TUESDAY. SHIPOWNERS WATT ON PREMIER There have been important developments in connection with the shipping dispute and there is every indication that work on the vessels will be resumed by the union at the beginning of next week. It is understood that no advice has yet been received by the union with regard to the suspension of section 57 of the Shipping and Seamen Act, and some difficulty may be occasioned if the suspension is continued. The recent deputation from the Federated Seamen’s Union and Alliance of Labour urged that the suspension should be removed. Yesterday Messrs W. R. Aiken and W. A. Kennedy, representatives of the Shipowners’ Federation, waited upon the Prime Minister with regard to tbs dispute, and Mr B. L. Hammond, acting-secretary of the federation, mad* the following statement to a “Times” representative who interviewed him. “The Prime Minister,” he said, “informed representatives of the ’"Shi powners’ Federation yesterday that tho executive of the Seamen’s Union had intimated to him the willingness of its members to resume work on Tuesday next. To prevent any suggestion that the shipowners ar< delaying a settlement, and to avoid any misunderstanding in the event of tk men offering themselves for re-engagement on Tuesday, the federation has communicated with the Seamen’s Union ashing whether its members are prepared to work under the conditions of the Arbitration Court award and with the men now employed on the ships. “The union,” he concluded, "has been informed that as soon as an assurance is given that its members will observe the award and work with the men now on the ships the shipowners will engage union labour.” Mr W. T. Young, secretary of the Seamen’s Union, declined to make a statement. It is interesting to note that the strike commenced in Auckland on November Ist, and on November 10th all crews gave notice. PRIME MINISTER “NOTHING WHATEVER TO SAY* The Prime Minister, when approached Tiy a “Times” representative as to his views in regard to the proposal that he should preside over a conference between the parties to the shipping dispute and try to bring them to an agreement, replied that he had nothing whatever to say on the matter at the present stage.