UGLY OUTLOOK

Southland Times, Issue 19435, 26 December 1924, Page 5

UGLY OUTLOOK

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING NOT A PEACE ATMOSPHERE omlnous declarations. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, December 24. The declaration by the ship-owners that the whole of their fleets might be thrown idle unless the seamen complied with the awards of the Arbitration Court has had no effect upon the men. It is stated that the Union officials have no intention of lifting the ban on the inter-State ships till the overtime claims are paid unconditonally. Owing to the non-fulfilment of the Melbourne agreement by the wharf labourers it is possible that the ship-owners may reconsider the settlement. The opinion expressed in Union circles is that the ship-owners’ declaration is mere bluff. The Union officials have stated that they are unable to say what the next development will be. They regard the situation as one in which anything might occur. Owing to a dispute about wages and crews, the steamers Oorama and Baldina have paid off their crews. The Newcastle vessels are laid up. A BRISBANE INCIDENT. “ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL.” BRISBANE, December 24. Trouble has arisen with the crew of the White Star liner Zealandic. The crew made certain demands, with which the master of the vessel refused to comply. Then, some 50 dissatisfied seamen left the vessel in a body. Warrants were issued for their arrest on a charge of being absent without leave. The men were conveyed to the police station. Later. In all 40 members of the crew of the Zealandic were charged before the Police Court to-day with being absent from the ship without leave. After evidence had been heard, the parties conferred and arrived at an agreement. The master then withdrew the charges and the men returned to the ship.