THE SWAPPING HOLD-UP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 20

THE SWAPPING HOLD-UP.

NO SETTLEMENT ARRIVED AT. EXCHANGE OF CORRESPONDENCE. (By Cable.) SYDNEY, January 7. In his letter to the Seamen's Union the manager of. the Union Company, after dealing with the men's demands, says: The company* is anxious that no efforts on its part should be spared to arrive at a settlement under the terms and conditions of the award. He asks the union's assistance in carrying out the award, and points out that; as New Zealand ports are now clean, and other steamers besides the company's are affected, he cannot think that it is altogether influenza that is causing the trouble.

The secretary of the union, in replying, admits that inconvenience has been caused to a large number of the travelling public, but thinks the company should concede something outside .the ordinary rate of pay, seeing the risk they migtit have to take. He refers to the alleged inconsiderate treatment of the crews of certain vessels, adding: " A little consideration shown to these men might have assisted our endeavours to get men for your ships." Dealing with the question of claims for compensation for loss of personal effects where vessels have been torpedoed in the war zone, bonus, and war badge matters, in which over 200 men are affected, the secretary says: "As a result of the way in which the men have been treated, they will not take any more risk of promises, and I cannot force them to take ships away." The letter : "I think it is up to your company to make an offer over and above the ordinary rate of pay. Up to the present you have done nothing, and if you seriously intend to have your ships running you must show that you will concede something worthy of consideration." A further letter from the manager of' the Union Company to the secretary of the Seamen's Union describes the latter's letter as vague as to what the men are actually asking for, but points out that the company has already conceded additional pay in accordance with the latest award made three weeks ago. The manager says that no official demand has been made with regard to insurance, but he has no doubt that this obstacle could be easily overcome. He reasserts that New Zealand ports are clean, traverses the statements regarding alleged inconsiderate treatment of certain crews, and concludes : " The company can see no reason why it should comply" with the suggestion to make an offer above ordinary wages. It thinks the offer already made a fair one; but if you think any good purpose can be served I will be pleased to meet you in conference to discuss the position. However, as we are complying with the award, it is due to you to say definitely in what way it should be exceeded." . A meeting of the Seamen's Union decided to take away ships due to call at ports in the influenza-affected areas if granted a 50 per cent, increase in pay and an insurance of £SOO against death from influenza. In the event of a member contracting the disease, they stipulate for the continuataion of his wages until his recovery. These claims have been forwarded to the shipping companies. January 8. After the' conference between the secretary of the Seamen's Union and the local manager of the Union Company (Mr Johnson) the latter cabled the men's demands to the head office in Dunedin, and a reply is expected to-day. . January 9. The New Zealand Government's agent states that if the dispute continues a private firm proposes to charter a vessel to accommodate 200 passengers and convey them to New Zealand. January 10. The Kiarra and the Ihumata-were to-day added to the list of ships hung up, and the indications are that unless a settlement is reached- in the meantime the Niagara's crew will leave her to-morrow. January 11. .The Union Company have offered the men a bonus of 35s per month from trip to trip, commencing from the signing on, until the Commonwealth declares'the ports mentioned free from influenza. In addition, the company agree to pay the wages of any member of the crew Contracting the disease, and also £SOO to the dependents of any member of the crew dying of influenza.

The men have accepted the Union Company's terms. January 12. A hitch *has occurred in connection with the shipping settlement. After the secretary of the Seamen's Union had accepted the Union Company's terms on hehalf of the men a meeting of the latter refused to endorse his action, and a deadlock ensued. Seeing the feeling of the men, the union's officials decided not to push the matter and adjourned the meeting until 10 o'clock on Monday, when, it is hoped, more reasonable counsels will have prevailed. Subsequently it -was stated that the meeting did not represent a majority of the members. If Monday's meeting is representative it is sure to revise the previous decision. The latest developments upset the arrangements for despatching vessels to New Zealand. January 13. When the Seamen's and Firemen's Union members gathered for a meeting called for the forenoon to-day to discuss the terms offered by the Union Company it -was announced that the meeting had been postponed till to-night. The two conveners of to-night's meeting state that they intend to take steps to break up the little circle -which is looking for a strike. The section which caused Saturday's deadlock included many men who do not go to sea. If sea-going men attend to-night

it is believed that Saturday's decision will be reversed. The secretary of the Seamen's Union says that the company's terms would have been in operation before to-day only that the increase of 35s was called a "bonus." The men had received so many promises of bonus money which had not been fulfilled that they would not agree to any more such offers, and for that reason the company's offer was turned down. The seamen's meeting did not decide to accept the Union Company's offer, but appointed a deputation to wait- on the Union and A.U.S.N. Companies to further discuss the position. It is understood that the men demand increased wages instead of a bonus. MELBOURNE, January 13. Mr Watt, Acting Prime Minister, has announced that the Federal Government will appeal for deregistration of the Seamen's Union.

ARRIVAL OF STRANDED NEW - ZEALANDERS. AUCKLAND, January 10. .Fifty New Zealanders who have been stranded in Sydney for nearly two months, as a result of the shipping difficulties, returned to Auckland yesterday by the Port Lyttelton. About 12 of the passengers belong to Auckland, and the others to Wellington and the south. Of the number returning, nine were women, who, when interviewed, all expressed the _ utmost thankfulness at having succeeded in reaching homo at last. Several of them had been detained in Sydney since the beginning of November, and, owing to financial difficulties and domestic anxieties, had experienced a most trying and altogether unenviable time. To add to their worries word was received by two or three that members of their family in New Zealand had been stricken with influenza, and one mother, while unsuccessfully endeavouring to return home, received news of the death of her son. "One thing I would particularly like to mention is the splendid way in which the men helped us," said one woman passenger. " I do not know what we would have done without them, for they formed a committee and interviewed the shipping companies and the authorities, and did everything in their power to help us. There were about 300 New Zealanders altogether in Sydney, and we soon became acquainted with one another through meeting at the shipping office trying to get passages. We met nearly every day while waiting and hoping against hope that we would soon be able to leave. I myself reached Sydney on November 4-, intending to return by the MoeraJci on November J 4. We went straight into quarantine, however, and had to stiv there a week; and before we were allowed out the Riverina and the Niagara had left, and there was no hope of getting another beat. Very few people left by the Port Sydney, which reached Whakatane a little while ago, but of us had to stay on." * Other pas&engers also spoke appreciatively

of the help rendered by Messrs Beveridge, Andrews, and Simpson, of Wellington, who organised a New Zealanders' committee, and who were also passengers by the Port .Lyttelton.

January 10. A telegram -was received from Sydney yesterday by an Auckland resident, in which a New Zealander at present on a visit to Australia states, inter alia: — "Over 100 New Zealanders are "stranded hare. Somo are absolutely without money. There is no sign of the Makura getting away for some weeks, and we feel sure the Government does not know the true position. Unless the- dispute is settled urgently I predict extensive industrial troubles. The position "is delicate."