THE SHIPPING TROUBLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18765, 19 January 1923, Page 6

THE SHIPPING TROUBLE

POSITION IN WELLINGTON. EARLY SETTLEMENT EXPECTED. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 18. Matters in connection with the dispute between member, of the Seamen’s Union and the shipping companies regarding the award of the Arbitration Court are still dragging along. If is believed that the trouble is now entering upon the final stages, for with a view of trying to arrive at a settlement it is stated that a proposal has been made that the Prime Minister should preside over a conference of tlie parties with the object of attempting to bring them to an agreement, IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, January 18.' Important developments in connection with the shipping dispute are pending, and there is every indication that work on Ihe vessels will be resumed by the union next Tuesday. It is understood that no advice has been received by the union in regard to the suspension of section 76 of the Shipping and Seamen’s Act, and difficulty may be occasioned if the suspension is coutinned. A recent, deputation from the Federated Seamen's Union and the Alliance of Labour urged that the suspension should he removed. Messrs W. R. Aiken and W. A. Kennedy, representatives of the Ship Owners’ Federation, waited on Mr Massey to-day in regard to the dispute. Mr B. L. Hammond, act-ing-secretary of the federation, made the following statement; —The Prime Minister informed the representatives of the ShinOwners’ Federation that the executive of the Seamen’s Union intimated to him the wilingneas of its members to resume work on Tuesday next. To prevent the suggestion that the ship-owners are delaying a settlement and to avoid misunderstanding in the event of the men offering themselves for re-engagement, the federation communicated with the Seamen's Union asking if tne members are prepared to work under the conditions of the Arbitration Court award and with the men who are now employed on the ships. The union men were informed that as soon as a*ssurance is given that the men will observe the award and work with men on (he ships, the ship-owners 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 1. ami by November 10 all the crews had given notice.