AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19748, 26 March 1926, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING.

THE COASTAL DISPUTE. ATTITUDE OP OWNERS RESENTED. GENERAL HOLD-UP THREATENED. (Press Association —By Telegraph Copyright.) SYDNEY, March 25. The officials of the Seamen’s Union complain in connection with the coastal strike that the owners have adopted an uncompromising attitude in refusing to dispense with volunteers in favoui of strikers. The owners have demonstrated that they can run their ships without the assistance of the unions, and during the recent conference have impressed upon the union officials their independence in this respect. In consequence strong en deavours are being made by the unions to evolve a means of bringing pressure upon the owners in the hope that ■ they will adopt a more conciliatory attitude. It is authoritatively learnt that union officials approached the Government and asked it to reduce the freights on the coastal railways in order to divert trade from the shipowners. It is understood that the Government gave no definite reply. Another union scheme is to precipitate a general hold-up of shipping, both coastal and inter-State. CONFERENCE AGAIN ADJOURNS. SYDNEY, March 25. (Received March 25, at 11.50 p.m.) The cogstal shipping conference again failed to reach a settlement and adjourned till Mondoy. THE WATERSIDE WORKERS. CLASH WITH OWNERS IMMINENT. NEW DE.VTANDS FORMULATED. MELBOURNE, March 25. (Received March 25, at 11.50 p.m.) Serious trouble is threatening between the waterside workers and the shipowners throughout Australia. At a conference of the waterside workers to be held in Sydney during May a comprehensive log of wages and conditions, including complete preference to unionists, alterations in the system of picking up, and the rotary system of employment will be drawn up. The demands will be served upon the shipowners direct in every port in Australia and the men will negotiate direct with the owners outside the court. Meanwhile the watersiders have already begun to enforce their demands by direct action. In Melbourne the stevedores and watersiders have decided to abolish afternoon pick-ups and the shipowners have been compelled to engage all the labour they require in the morning. HOLD-UP OF THE KANNA. HOBART. March 25. (Received March 25, at 11.50 p.m.) The Kanna is still idle, the watersiders refusing to unload her cargo of coal. Unless a settlement is shortly reached there will be a serious shortage of coal for the factories, railways, and steamers. RECENT OVERSEAS STRIKE. FURTHER DONATION FROM OWNERS. LONDON, .March 24. ■ The fund to relieve seamen and their dependents suffering from the effects of the recent strike is now over £lO 000, including a further donation of £1,250 from the shipowners.—Reuter.