SHIPPING DISPUTE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 238, 9 May 1933, Page 5

SHIPPING DISPUTE

MORE SHIPS HELD UP

PARTIES CONFER Angle of Approach Sought COMMITTEE APPOINTED Press Association. —Cop/right. Wellington, Today. The maritime dispute continues although a move has been made toward affecting a settlement. There were nearly 30 coastal and overseas vessels in port yesterday, and tshere was practically no movement in or out of the harbour. The most important development took place in the afternoon, when the interested parties met in conference. Efforts to arrive at a settlement will be continued this morning. The conference, which was called at the request of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour, was attended by representatives from the alliance, the Seamen's Union, the Cooks' and Stewards' Union, and the New Zealand Shipowners' Federation. After a preliminary discussion tho more than five representatives from conference set up a committee of not each side to endeavour to find an "angle! !df approach" leading to a settlement of the dispute. Tho committee sat for several hours and adjourned until nine o'clock this morning. ' Idle Vessels Six of the Union Company's vessels, including the Monowai, were idle yesterday.; Thyee of Holm and Company's fleet--are at present in the harbour, also two of the Canterbury Steam Company's vessels. In addition, four other small coastal ships were held up. - The overseas vessels in port are the Rangitata, tho Norfolk and the Mania,' and there are also the Government steamer Matai and H.M.S. Wakakura. *>ti Tho only departures yesterday were the Futurist at 7.50 a.m. for Cook Strait, the Tamahine at 2.50 p.m. for Picton, the Brisbane Maru at 3,40 p.m. for Auckland, and the Rangatira at 7.50 p.m. for Lyttelton. There were no arrivals. The Fairburn, which left at 4.50 p.m for Westport, and the Kohi, which sailed at 6.40 p.m. for Nelson, put back on account of rough weather outside the Heads.

Ten Vessels Idle

NO SAILINGS AT AUCKLAND Produce Market Effect Press Association. —Copyright. Auckland, May 8. The seamen's dispute resulted In ten vessels being rendered idle at Auckland today. In addition to the Union Company's steamer Wlngatui, the crew of which was paid off on Saturday afternoon, the vessels involved include seven Northern Company's ships, six of which were to have sailed for coastal ports during the day. In the morning the crews of the Union Company's steamers Kanna and Waimea, and of the Gisborne Sheepfarmers* steamer Tiroa, were requested to accept the new terms offered by the shipowners, but the men refused and were then given 24 hours' notice of dismissal. The Kanna was paid off this afternoon and' the Waimea and -Tirea will be, paid off tomorrow. The decision regarding action to be taken by the members of the Seamen's Union employed by the Northern Company was delayed until later in the day to allow the matter to be discussed at a meeting of members hrld durins; the afternoon. Tho meeting ended about four o'clock and afterwards the men declined to go to « ( >fi under the new agreement, which includes 5 per cent, redaction in wages. All men were given 24 hours' notice, and departure of tho vessels was postponed indefinitely. The crows will be paid off tomorrow. Apart from some inconvenience the interruption of southern cargoes has caused little difficulty to trade in the city and merchants anticipate no serious' trouble unless the hold-up is prolonged into next week. The potato market is principally affected, and as a result of the su'dden shortage prices have risen during the last week from £6 10s a ton through stores to £lO a ton, with supplies difficult to obtain at that. "Wheat stocks arc not large, and prices are firmer, but other influences are also operating in this market. Pollard is also in short supply and dearer. The Auckland mills cannot cope with the demand, and are rationing their outputs. In other food- [ stuff lines the position is fairly normal, although .some increased ! inquiry was noticeable on behalf I of houses which have been caught i with low stocks.

CHARGES HEARD IN COURT

MAN FINED £3 FOR ASSAULT Mistook Victim for Someone Else ANOTHER ARMED WITH BLUDGEON Press Association. —Copyright. At the Magistrate's Court today, At the Magsitrate's Court today, Walter Henry Tidy (38), a seaman, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Llellwyn Summerell. The police alleged that in a statement to them accused had said he had mistaken Summerell for someone else who had called him a "scab." A fine of £3 and costs was imposed. Terence Walsh Flynn, charged with being armed with a bludgeon with felonous intent, elected to be tried by a jury and was remanded,

HOME LINER HELD UP

Crew Refuse to Work Mahia TROUBLE BEGAN IN AUSTRALIA Press Association— Honyritrht Wellington, Today. The crew of the Shaw, Savill liner Mahia refused to take the ship out today. It is reported the action is due to trouble which began in Australia regarding the boatswain. Warrants were issued against a large number of the crew, who are expected to appear in court thig afternoon on charges of refusing to obey lawful commands.