WATERSIDE TROUBLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18183, 2 March 1921, Page 5

WATERSIDE TROUBLE.

POSITION IN WELLINGTON FORTY-SIX VESSELS IDLE. MANUKA RETURNING TO SYDNEY. (Fbom Ocb Own Cobbeqpondent.) WELLINGTON, March 1. Forty-six vessels are idle, and the port lias a desolate appearance. The Manuka is returning to Sydney with hc-r cargo still in her holds. Coal is urgently required for some industries. There is a large quantity of sugar afloat in- the harbour, which would be very welcome if put on the market now. Generally, the position, though becoming more serious day; by day, has not yet affected the mass of the people. SUGAR SHORTAGE. SUPPLIES HELD UP. (Feb United Pexss Association.) WELLINGTON, March 1. There is plenty of sugar afloat on the harbour, but very little for sale in the shops at Wellington. The Minister in Charge of the Department of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. E. P. Lee) stated to-day that a portion of the second lot of sugar brought overseas for the purpose of augmenting New Zealand. supplies had reached Wellington, hut, /owing to the waterfront trouble, could hot be unloaded. NO SETTLEMENT THIS WEEK. (Pxb United Pbess Association.) , ’ WELLINGTON, March 1. A reply froiu. the Waterside Workers’ Federation to the demand for assurances made at Saturday’s conference has not yet been received. It is feared that a settlement will not be reached this week. Fortysix vessels are idle at Wellington, representing 143,031 tons. WOOL SALES POSTPONED. (Fix United Puss Association.) .WELLINGTON, March 1, The Dunedin wool sale, 'on account of the waterside dispute, has been deferred. Not until the Dunedin sales are disposed of can other sales be held, for a sequence has to be observed. The Wellington sales , are not now likely to be held ■ until 10 days after those of Dunedin. It is expected that the aggregate catalogue will .be between 15,000 and 16,000 bales. . NOTHING FRESH AT AUCKLAND. MEN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT ELSEWHERE. MEETING OF WORKERS TO-DAY. (Peb United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March !. There were no fresh developments on the Auckland waterfront to-day.', A general meeting of waterside- workers will be held to-morrow for the : purpose of considering various aspects of the dispute. The itumVr of waterside workers employed oh the wharves has gradually been, decreasing, until now only, about 200 are working daily but of a total, of 1400. Some 200 men have accepted employment elsewhere. i : . POSITION IN DUNEDIN. There is nothing fresh to report concerning the trouble at the. waterfront, so far as Dunedin is concerned] . The .Watersiders’ U hion held its ordinary monthly ; meeting yesterday morning, but no business of . a ny, moment _ Was transacted. It is understood that no information was available from the Wellington executive, and that -some of those present who asked what, was" being done, by the head executive' could Obtain no information/ for the simple reason that the executive of the' Dunedin'Union had none to pass on. Thoise watersiders who can obtaiii other work—which, it may be added, is not plentiful—are readily accepting, it, . , . THE CRUX OF THE MATTER. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.) Clause 44 of the Industrial Agreement, which is in force until December 31, 1921, reads thus The federation and the respective unions undertake that no restrictions relating to overtime work shall be permitted to be made during.'the currency of this agreement. This was signed by Lewis Glover (president), James Roberts (secretary). The employers have decided that, as soon as a satisfactory guarantee is given that the above undertaking shall be carried out, and the work,,be proceeded with in the normal way in accordance with the terms of th existing' agreement, the men may resume work. , ; ■ ,