THE IDLE FLEETS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15465, 9 March 1921, Page 3

THE IDLE FLEETS.

COAL MINE AT REEFTON CLOSED DOWN. {Per Press Association.! AUCKLAND, last 'night. The manager of tho Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association issued the following statement to-day : "Owing to a cargo of Nalal coal on board the s.s. Cape Premier, at present lying at Auckland, having become heated, it is deemed advisable to discharge same without further delay. The necessary labor has been engaged irom the ranks of the local waterside workers’ union, and the discharge of the coal was commenced at 1 p.m. to-day.” The gas pressure was greatly reduced to-day and cooking, except between 4.30 and 6.30 p.m., was practically impossible. Even if the dispute is settled immediately, it will be some days before the gas company is able to restore . normal conditions. GREYMOUTH, last night. I The coal mine at Reefton is closed down temporarily, owing to storage facilities being overtaxed, and no ships being available at present to transport | coal. The bins at the mines are nearly full, also many railway trucks on the local wharf and, upless shipped soon, more mines may be interfered with. Local watersiders continue to work night shifts. FEARS OF FARMERS. AUCKLAND, this day. The waterfront trouble was discussed by the provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union. Mr J. E. Makgill said •that the situation as it affected farmers was becoming extremely serious. He suggested that the defence committee of tlie union be re-established and authorised to interview the parties to the dispute. No effort should be spared to endeavor to achieve a settlement. Mr It. (J.* Allen suggested that a telegram be immediately forwarded to the Prime Minister, stating that the executive viewed with alarm the state of the waterfront trouble; that the freezing companies had only about three weeks storage for butter, and asking what steps the Government was taking to safeguard the interest of tho farming community. Both suggestions were adopted. CONFERENCE WITH PREMIER. SITUATION‘DESCRIBED AS DELICATE. FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS THIS AFTERNOON. WELLINGTON,' this day. The shipowners and watersiders representatives who interviewed the Premier yesterday, resumed their joint discussion to-day, when the meeting was adjourned till this afternoon. It was reported that the position was too delicate to give an< indication of tho possible result, bui that negotiations would continue during the afternoon.—Herald Special Correspondent. AUCKLAND MEN ANXIOUS TO RESUME. AUCKLAND, this day. The waterside developments are anxiously awaited. The local men evidently are anxious to resume. Those engaged in discharging the Cape Premiers coal worked till 10 o’clock last night, and it is understood were prepared to work right through till the whole cargo was discharged. They are putting the coal out at a good pace.—Press Assn. APPEAL TO PARLIAMENT. HASTINGS, this Jay. The Chamber of Commerce at a special meeting discussed tho serious position arising from the throttling of trade at ports of the Dominion, and that the Government should be asked imfnediately to take steps to restore marine activity, the cessation of which threatens the Dominion with irreparable disaster, and that the executive of Hie Associated Chambers of Commerce, as well as individual chambers and local members of Parliament, be asked too support this urgent request, that the Government be urged to take definite steps during the March session of Parliaments" to deal in a drastic manner with individuals or corporate bodies responsible for interference with key industries.—Press Assn. The Auckland Herald states: There is every likelihood that the Cape Premier, which is now berthed at the King’s wharf, will be worked this week. The stumbling block is the inability oi the captain to secure baskets’ and shovels, but, it is understood, a number of men have been employed making sufficient baskets to ensure the. unloading of tho ship. These baskets, it is anticipated, will be finished by the beginning of the week. The waterside workers have undertaken to provide shovels. The members, of tho union are manifesting a lively interest in the Cape Premier and other deep-sea vessels anchored in the harbor which aro not controlled by the large shipping companies operating in New Zealand. It is understood that representatives of the union have interviewed tho captains urging them to ‘berth these vessels, and giving an understanding to discharge their cargoes in Record ti me . They have, it is stated, gone so far as to pledge that members of the union will work all night, if necessary, in order to facilitate the discharge of any ships worked.