THE SHIPPING DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19532, 15 July 1925, Page 7

THE SHIPPING DISPUTE

t [ A MORE SERIOUS PHASE. i I. ULTIMATUM BY SEAMEN. i l Preß» Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. E MELBOURNE, July 14. i A mass meeting of seamen decided to 1 give 24-hours' notice to-day on vessels at ; home ports belonging to owners who re- * fuse to grant the guarantee clause. The Victorian branch of the Seamen's Union, at a. -well-attended meeting, decided to maintain the attitude it had pre- . viously taken up. 1 Unless something unforseen happens [ the decision to leave the ships will take " effect to-day. The union officials explained later that ; 400 men would cease work in Melbourne i to-day, and in a week 4000 would be idle 1 in Australia. Ultimately 8000 seamen would be affected. f THE BLOW FALLS. SEAMEN GIVE NOTICE. ! EMERGENCY CABINET MEETING. [ MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL SERVICES. ; . MELBOURNE, July 14. (Received July 14, at 10 p.m.) , The seamen have handed in 24 hours' , notice of their intention to leave the * Ships, thus ending further negotiations between the shipowners and the transport group. The absence of any message last night from this group in Sydney precipi- [ tated a crisis as the seamen expected in- ! structions to hold their hauds. The men I have decided for the present not to hold i up the Tasmanian boats, i The Federal Cabinet was hurriedly summoned to deal with the situation, and [ at this meeting Mr Bruce pointed out the ' necessity of continuing the essential services. Although he re-fused to disclose what occurred at the meeting, stating that the hold-up had not yet actually occurred [ it was ascertained that a tentative plan i to deal with, the situation had been agreed upon. j FURTHER EXTENSION TAKES PLAGE. GOVERNMENT ACTION PROMISED. HOBART„ July 14. (Received July' 14, at 11 p.m.) The shipping trouble has extended to Tasmania. The local members of the crew of the Union Company's steamer Kekerangu to-day gave notice. Other vessels will be affected as they arrive. ADELAIDE, July 14. l (Received July 14, at 11 p.m.) a The crews of two coastal steamers have ] r handed in their notices. * MELBOURNE, July 14. , (Received July 14, at 11 p.m.) In the House of Representatives, in j reply to questions, Mr S. M. Bruce (Federal Prime Minister) stated that in t the event of a shipping Hold-up, the Government would take whatever action , was necessary to maintain vital services, , and would consider all matters by winch j the convenience and requirements of the community might be preserved. b ATTITUDE OF OWNERS. r 1 MEN'S DICTATION REJECTED. i ;_ 1 MELBOURNE, July 14. A conference of the Commonwealth Shipowners' Association, which was attended by representatives from other companies outside the association, met yesterday. The object of the conference is to ensure that the terms of the settlement of the shipping dispute shall be acceptable to all shipowners. Beyond issuing a statement that more ships were being laid I up, and that the immediate safeguarding of the owners' interests will be the leading feature tif the conference, no announcement was made. * After a lengthy sitting the conference decided to adjourn indefinitely, owing to Q the fact that vessels are still being held up by the Seamen's Union. It was pointed out afterwards on behalf of the owners that this conduct is standing in the way of successful negotiations. Before the owners will discuss a basis for settlement the. seamen will have to withdraw their ultimatum to -tie up the ships, and, further, they must man the ships which are'at present idle. % [. ALL COASTAL SHIPS INVOLVED. GENERAL FIGHT POSSIBLE. 1 SYDNEY, July 13. j The seamen have extended the trouble i to all companies trading on the Australian coast. All ships will automatically be tied e up as they reach port. When the Howard, Smith steamer Cooma arrived the men gave notice, and ■? the ship was tied up indefinitely. Calls * were made for men to replace the crew, * but the efforts were futile. l " Crews of two of the. North Coast Com- *" pany's steamers also gave notice, and ? efforts to replace them were also unavailing. Until a settlement is reached no crews *' wiD be forthcoming for any but the '' Commonwealth Line steamers. A strong section of the Seamen's Union favours making the fight a general one, and including this Une. The Bums, Philp Company has also been declared "black," although it agreed to the men's terms. This decision was reached because a section of the Seamen's Union Executive believes that the company is bound up financially with, the interstate companies. The transport group of unions met and adjourned until Tuesday, when the result '• of the conference with the owners in Melbourne may be known. BRISBANE, July 14. The members of the crews of several vessels have given notice. They will II leave the ships to-day. The number of unemployed seamen will be about 150. <T ~