THE SHIPPING HOLD-UP

Otago Witness, Issue 3590, 2 January 1923, Page 30

THE SHIPPING HOLD-UP

PROSECUTIONS AT AUCKLAND. FORTY -NINE MEN FINED. AUCKLAND, December 21. The hearing of charges laid under the Arbitration Act against 49 seamen was concluded before Mr E. C. Cutten, S.M.. The men were charged, that being parties to and bound by an award dated October 10, 1922. they became parties to a strike. Mr Meredith appeared for the Inspector of Awards, who claimed £lO penalty in each case, and Mr Holmden for defendants. The Magistrate said counsel for defendant had endeavoured to distinguish the charges against one or two of the men on the grounds that they did not give notice. He held, however, that that did not make any difference. The matter had already been decided by Mr Page at the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on precisely the same evidence as that before him. Each of defendants was convicted and fined £2 and costs A THRUST AT NON-UNIONISTS. WELLINGTON, December 21. A leaflet has been circulated alleging that New Zealand ships are now manned by unqualified and incompetent labour and that known imbeciles and criminals have been placed on vessels in lieu of qualified seamen. This is given a flat denial by the Owners’ federation and the secretary of the Merchant Service Guild, both asserting that the manning of passenger steamers is quite satisfactory, and the fact that vessels have been running with free labour for a considerable time without mishap shows that there is nothing to fear. The Labour Department, in reply to the Cooks and Stewards’ Union, says that there is no evidence to bear out the allegation of a lock-out by the Union Company. It was claimed that after the seamen gave notice the Union Company gave the cooks and stewards 24 hours’ notice, and this constitutes a lock-out. The Alliance of Labour passed a resolution that in view of the statements in the press inferring that the seamen were not supported by the Alliance of Labour generally, the alliance declares its full support of the seqmen and that it will, if called on, render them all the assistance in its power December 22. The Minister of Labour, replying to a pamphlet warning travellers concerning the employment of free labour and the relaxation of shipping laws, says the requirements undgr which he has acted are as effective as, or even more effective than, the actual compliance with the regulation. In issuing instructions he specifically directed that the safety of passengers and crews was to be fully provided for. He was assured that full regard had been paid to the special requirements which he stipulated. BRIGHTER PROSPECTS. WELLINGTON, December 22. The conference between the shipowners and Seamen’s Union representatives has been adjourned till December 29 as the seamen’s delegates from other parts of the dominion wish to get back to their homes for the Christmas holidays. The prospects of a settlement of the trouble are now somewhat brighter than they were a week or two ago. The main obstacle to a settlement is the unwillingness of the owners to dismiss the non-unionists who have tided them over their difficulty, especially those who have already become quite well qualified to serve as seamen and firemen. THE MANUKA SAILS. AUCKLAND, December 22. The Manuka, which has been held up since November 8, sailed for Sydney to-day with 150 passengers. A volunteer crew signed on. MAKURA AT VANCOUVER. VANCOUVER, December 21. The longshoremen’s vote favours working the cargo of the Makura, which is due on Saturday.THE TASMANIAN TRADE SYDNEY, December 21. Despite the Union Company’s request for crews for the Tasmanian vessels, the Seamen’s Union has not officially replied. NIAGARA’S CREW SIGNED OFF. SYDNEY, December 23. The Niagara’s crew have been paid off. Trouble is expected when the company is signing on a new orew on Wednesday, some of the men saying that they will refuse to sign on until the dispute in New Zealand is settled. December 27. The Union Company has decided to man the stokehold and deck departments of the Niagara with volunteer labour, as none ol the old orew applied for re-engagement.

WAIHEMO STILL DETAINED. SYDNEY, December 26. The Waihemo was unable to sail on Saturday night in consequence of having no crew. Notwithstanding the union’s resolutions lifting the boycott on the Union Company, there is still a strong undercurrent against men accepting employment.