SHIPPING CRISIS

Southland Times, Issue 20488, 16 May 1928, Page 5

SHIPPING CRISIS

COOKS’ DISPUTE

OWNERS TAKE UP THE GAUNTLET FOUR ADDITIONAL CREWS GIVEN NOTICE FIGHT AGAINST JOB CONTROL (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Sydney, May 15. Owing to the failure of the marine cooks to man eight idle Huddart-Parkei vessels the shipowners have taken the extreme course of laying-up four additional vessels. Twenty-four hours’ notice of dismissal has been given the crews of the following vessels: Karoola and Ulooloo, both in Sydney, and Bombala and Lowana, both at Melbourne. It is significant that the principal members of the inter-State Shipowners’ Federation are concerned in the latest move while the Australian United Steamship Navigation Company became involved when the Kanowna was held up. The general belief is that the shipowners intend to take up the gauntlet and fight the cooks on “job control.” The Marama, Maunganui and Kaiapoi, which are on New Zealand articles, are not likely to be drawn into the conflict, while the Union Company’s other vessels. Ngakuta and Ngatoro, which leave Sydney to-day on Australian articles, are so far unaffected.

No official reason has been given by the shipowners for their action beyond the statement that it accords with their ultimatum and that they are being forced to lay-up steamers owing to the uncertain position on the waterfront.

A meeting of marine stewards is being held in Sydney to-day to discuss the position, and also the sale of the Commonwealth Line, as it is reported that crews of this line are being paid off by Kylsante on arrival at London and replaced with lowerpaid crews, Australians being repatriated. No representatives of the Cooks’ Union attended the Melbourne conference of the Australasian Tracies Unions yesterday, which has been adjourned till Wednesday at the request of Mr Tudehope, who arrived in Sydney from Brisbane yesterday, and has left for Melbourne.—Australian Press Association. OWNERS WORKING SECRETLY. FOURTEEN VESSELS IDLE. (Rec. 8.50 p.m.) Sydney, May 15. The owners’ drastic action in giving notice of dismissal to the crews of four vessels is taken as being with the object of bringing the cooks’ strike to a head. The owners are working on a plan which they are keeping strictly secret and there is little doubt that the tying up of the ships is only the prelude to further action. The campaign is being directed from Melbourne and so far has resulted in rendering idle 300 men. The developments within the next 24 hours will determine whether the country is to be faced with a crisis similar to the 1917 strike or whether the cooks’ strike will come to an abrupt ending. The latest move by the owners is regarded by other unions with grave concern as already unemployment is rampant. There are now 14 steamers idle as a result of the cooks’ strike.—Australian Press Association. TWO CONFERENCES TO-DAY. TRADES UNIONS AND WATERSIDERS. (Rec. 8.50 p.m.) Melbourne, May 15. An amazing situation has arisen in connection with the efforts of union leaders to settle the dispute. Although the Australasian Council of Trades Unions yesterday adjourned the Maritime Union Conference until Wednesday to enable Mr Tudehope to attend, the Waterside Workers’ Federation to-day convened a conference of its own for the same hour to-morrow to deal with the dispute. It is now stated that Mr Tudehope will attend the watersiders’ conference although he is expected at the other. Despite the now divided efforts of the unions to arrive at a settlement it is believed that the outcome of the two conferences to-morrow will be that the cooks will be asked to resume work.—Australian Press Association. COOKS DISCUSS POSITION. NO DECISION REACHED. (Rec. 10.20 p.m.) Sydney, May 15. A meeting of the maritime cooks considered the strike position, but did not reach a decision as to future action. It was decided to send Mr Tudehope to Melbourne to-night to participate in to-mor-row’s maritime conference. —Australian Press Association.