GENERAL HOLD-UP FEARED

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1933, Page 4

GENERAL HOLD-UP FEARED

SEAMEN’S WAGES REDUCTION RUMOURS HEARD AT WELLINGTON, OFFICIALS REMAIN RETICENT. NEW AGREEMENT NOW OPERATING. ' By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night It was freely stated on the waterfront this afternoon that a general hold-up of shipping was a strong probability. . The San Francisco mail liner Maunganui, due to sail at 3 p.m. for Sydney, did not get away. Other sailings were also held up, althgugh the Maori sailed about 9 o’clock for Lyttelton. The Waikawa also sailed for Lyttelton and the Rata, for Nelson. The shipping companies and Seamen’s Union officials are reticent as to the nature of the trouble. Two leading officials of the Seamen’s Union refused to admit any knowledge of anything in the nature of a hold up. It is known, however, that a meeting of the Seamen’s union was held earlier in the day to discuss the provisional agrement regarding pay and conditions arrived at between the shipping companies and the executive of the union. No official statement was available as to the outcome of the meet- , ing, but it was stated that a vote of noconfidence in the executive of the union was carried. • Last year after protracted negotiations between the. union and the Shipowners’ Federation a provisional agreement was reached providing for a 10 per cent, cut in the wages of seamen and firemen to operate as from November 1 last. Tha former agreement, which expired at the end of August, was not subject to tha general order cut. The owners proposed a 20 per cent, cut but this was reduced after negotia>ms to 10 per cent. Further negotiations were finalised'last month, when a new provisional agreement was reached, providing for a further 5 per cent cut to operate from May 1. This agreement was the result of negotiations between the owners and the executive officers of the Seamen’s Union. The owners notified that the agreement would operate from today. . ... A meeting of the Seamen’s Union will •be held at 8 a.m. to-morrow. The vessels affected are the Maunganui, Monowai, Arahura, Waimarino, Orepuki, Tees and Awahou.