SHIPPING HOLD-UP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18735, 13 December 1922, Page 6

SHIPPING HOLD-UP

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. MATTER STILL UNSETTLED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 12. A conference between the Executive Council of the Seamen’s Federation, Seamen’s Union representatives, and the shipowners was held yesterday. Mr T. O. Bishop, on behalf of the shipowners, said he had no desire to increase the difficulties of the past three weeks, but he desired to place the facts in connection with the dis pute clearly before the public. He placed the following statement before the meet ing:—About the beginning of Novembei the crews of certain vessels at Auckland and Lyttelton gave notice of their intention to leave their employment and made it clear to their employers that the reason for them action was dissatisfaction with the Arbitration Court’s award. On November I the position was discussed by a roprethe shipping companies and of the Federated Seamen’s Union, but no solunon of the trouble was discovered, as the shipping companies were determined to ur>-li-.no a ' vnrd > ar:(J the union asked that the 1920 agreement bo substituted for the award, hollowing upon this discussion, the crews of all other ships under the New Zealand articles ceased work as thoir vessels arrived at their home ports. The shipping companies were then faced with the only two alternatives—(l) To allow all snips to remain idle, (2) to obtain other labour. They adopted the second alternative, and wore able to man their vessels and maintain their services. On November , . somt ? of the seamen who had left their ships signified their willingness to return to work hut for thojeasons set out in my letter of November 29 the shipowners were not prepared to re-engage these men with out some official assurance from the Seamen s Union that trouble was at an end, and that the award of the court would be accepted. The shipowners’ decision on this matter was conveyed to Mr W. T Young by a letter dated November 24. Had the assurance asked for been given by the union about that date the trouble migh‘ have been settled, but for reasons which have not been made known to us the union ;' as , deferred taking any action until now. iius delay has had an important effect upon the situation, because during the last two weeks the number of qualified seamen and firemen in the ships now running has largely increased. The services of these men will not bo dispensed with while they continue to give satisfactory service. Therefore. all that the shipowners can now offer is that on receipt of an official assurance from the union that the Arbitration Court award be accepted they will engage members of the union for work on ships as vacancies occur. Further, before agreeing to do this they will require an assurance from the union that crews for all ships on th© New Zealand articles now held up at Australian ports shall be available as they are required. _Mr Young, secretary of the Seamen's Union, said the union was not prepared to give any assurance whatever regarding the court’s award. He considered the statement in the nature of an ultimatum, and would preclude further discussion. Mr Bishop said such was not intended. The shipowners wee still prepared to discuss the nature of the assurance which they requested, as well ns other necessary matters in a statement prepared to preclude discussion, but so that all present might understand the position. The seamen's representatives then withdrew, and the matter remains unsettled. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. (Per United Press Association.) NELSON, December 11. A number of seamen formerly in the employ of the Anchor Company were charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-dav with be comimr a party to tv strike. The defendants pleaded not guilty. After several witnesses had been heard the court adjourned till Friday, when other witnesses are expected to be in port. CASES IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 12. Forty-seven informations have been laid by the Labour Department against seamen alleging that they were parties to an illegal strike, and a penalty of £lO is claimed in each case. Hearing is fixed for December 20. MANUKA TO BE RECOMMISSIONED s (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 12. The 'Manuka is to be recommissioned. She will sail for Sydney on Friday, December 22. IN AUSTRALIA. THE PROSPECTS BRIGHTER. Presa Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, SYDNEY, December 12. No chan go _is reported in the seamen’s strike. It is understood that th© local union is ready to declare the dispute ended when the strike is declared off in New Zealand. The union has issued a statement repudiating the suggestion that Saturday night’s brawl was connected with the strike. At a secret ballot during the weekend Mr Walsh was re-elected general president. Advices from _ Newcastle say that the Koromiko is sailing to-day with a volunteer crew. DEPARTURE OF KOROMIKO. SYDNEY, December 12. (Received Dec. 13, at 0.56 a.m.) The Koromiko has sailed from Newcastle manned hv volunteer labour. No trouble was experienced. THE LOCAL POSITION. There was nothing new to report yesterday in connection wtb the local position. The wharves presented a deserted appearance as the usual monthly ston-work meeting of the local Watersiders’ Union, which was postponed from last Tuesday, was held yesterday morning, and. on its conclusion at 10 a.m.. the men could not resume work owing to the heavy rain which had set in, and continued all dav. At the meeting, which was largely attended, a ballot was taken as to whether the new award affecting the waterside workers would bo accepted or not. but the result is not known. Mr J. Roberts, secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, addressed the meeting. In the afternoon the Port Chalmers m-n held their usual monthly meeting, and also took a ballot.