COLLAPSE IN VIEW.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1922, Page 5

COLLAPSE IN VIEW.

STRIKE MAY END SOON. FRUITLESS TO CONTINUE. SHIPPING NOT HELD UP. By Telegraph.—Press Association,: Wellington, Not. 28. The situation in regard to the shipping trouble shows indications in favor of an early settlement. No announcement has yet been made by the national executive of the Seamen's Union, but it is believed that members realise it is fruitless perpetuating the present position, because shipowners are having no difficulty in getting the vessels manned by free labor and it seems hopeless to expect support from the deck officers or any other outside source. It appears the executive of the union considers that the firemen and seamen have not refused to accept work under the court's award, because when the men offered their services a week ago the shipowners declined to make any engagements until the union first guaranteed that the provisions of teh award would be accepted and observed. The developments to-day signify that the executive is anxious to bring about a settlement, and that a conference with the shipowners to discuss the existing situation would be welcomed.

Mr. Bishop, secretary of the Shipowners’ Federation, stated to-day that a settlement must he effected with the union before the unionists would be allowed to go back to the ships. The secretary of the Merchant Service Guild (Captain Maclndoe) stated this morning that, there was no chance of the deck officers going out. He had been surprised to see a Christchurch telegram to that effect. POSITION AT AUCKLAND. COASTAL TRADE NORMAL. Auckland, Last Night. The Arahura left for Gisborne and Napier to-day. She is the last of the coastal vessels idled by the strike. The only vessels now idle are the Manuka, Waitomo, Kaiwarra, Kawatiri, and Kaiapoi, and no labor is being engaged for these pending a settlement of the Australian trouble. UNEASINESS DENTED. Dunedin, Nov. 28. Officers of vessels here deny . the Christchurch rumour that uneasiness prevails over the suspension of the Shipping and Seamen Act. DEADLOCK IN AUSTRALIA. NO SIGN OF AGREEMENT. By Toipcranh—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Nov. 28, 9.45 p.m. Sydney, Nov. 28. A mass meeting of seamen decided that the Waikawa men would not return to the vessel on any other terms than Australian articles. It was announced at the meeting that the stewards and other members of the Moeraki’s crew had been asked to perform seamen’s duties, but had refused. The Union Company has paid off the crews of the Koranui and Kokiri. Sydney, Nov. 28. At a late hour last night, the Koranui and Kokiri were unable to sail owing to members of the respective crews absenting themselves. Both vessels were destined for Newcastle. It is explained that the hold-up ifi part of the seamen’s policy to boycott Union Company steamers till the strike in New Zealand is declared off, or until the strikers in Long Bay Prison are unconditionally released.