POSITION SERIOUS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21189, 9 November 1938, Page 6

POSITION SERIOUS

Shipping Deadlock Outcome Uncertain Business Affected By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 8. After a three hour meeting this morning of the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union when a recommendation from its Dominion Executive was discussed, the men did not return to work the affected ships on the Auckland waterfront. A brief meeting was held in the afternoon of the Local Disputes’ Committee, but at its conclusion Captain Lewis, chairman of the Port of the Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association and Mr R.| G. Jones, Union president, stated that the position was unchanged, and neither could give any indication of the future trend of events. The dispute has now been in progress for six days, and it is considered that the situation is no nearer settlement than on Thursday. On that day the unionists refused to handle cargo on the Union Company’s ships Waiana and Kaimiro unless claims concerning starting time and wages were settled. Six gangs had been ordered for a 10 a.m. start on the Waiana last Wednesday, and three more gangs were ordered to begin at 1 p.m. At 1 p.m. the original six gangs and the extra three all refused to turn to unless all hands were paid from 10 a.m. The Waiana was closed up, and although work was resumed next morning, the men refused to continue work at 1 p.m. following a disagreement at the Local Disputes’ Committee meeting. The position on the Kaimiro was similar because of rain on Thursday morning. Eight gangs were ordered for a 9 a.m. start, but when the men arrived on the job they refused to turn to unless paid from 8 a.m. Employers’ Claim The shipping and Stevedores’ Association, claiming that the award provided that work should continue at all times, and that all disputes should be settled on constitutional lines, decided that afternoon that no further labour would be engaged until the terms of award were complied with. The Waterside Workers’ Union has maintained that the employers have not kept to the agreement, and that the men have been ready and willing to work on other ships. Union officials have emphasised that the workers would be prepared to discuss the position when work was resumed on all ships excepting the Waiana and the Kaimiro. Accumulation of Shipping The result of the continued deadlock has been a steady accumulation of shipping and cargoes, the position growing more serious daily until tomorrow morning will see six overseas ships and seven large coastal vessels of an aggregate tonnage of nearly 60,000 tons idle at the wharves. The ships will include the Huddart Parker motor liner Wanganella, which will arrive in the morning from Sydney. Skips which will be idle unless work starts to-morrow, with their gross tonnage are: — Overseas: City of Glasgow (5321), Mataroa (12,390), Matua (4193). Middlesex (8730), Trienza <6378), Wanganella (9576); total, 46,588 tons. Coastal: Canopus <'1337), Kaimiro (2562), Kaiwarra (3051), Margaret W. (394), Pakura (719), Port Waikato (668), Waiana (3363); total 11,094 tons. MERCHANTS SUFFERING SOUTH ISLAND MAY BE SHORT OF SUGAR By Telegraph—Pres? Association AUCKLAND, November 8. Already many merchants and manufacturers are suffering inconveniences and possible losses through interference with deliveries and the dispatch of goods because of the dispute between the shipping interests and the waterside workers. The carrying trade in Auckland is very much affected by the absence of wharf deliveries, and even if the dispute is promptly settled, there are such heavy accumulations of goods that it will take much time to dispose of these. Importers are anxiously awaiting a settlement of the dispute because of the arrivals of Christmas stocks. The arrival of the Wanganella tomorrow will complicate the situation, and failing a settlement it is anticipated that the vessel will carry back its Australian cargo. Among the manufacturers, the Colonial Sugar Refinery Co., Ltd., is viewing the situation with some concern because of the congestion of stocks at a time when the demand is near its peak. Already six lighters are held with supplies which cannot be discharged under the present circumstances. Stocks of sugar are held for the South Island, and although a scarcity has not yet developed there, it may not be long before the supply question becomes acute. In the course of manufacture it is necessary for the company to maintain its output from the works, so that the present dislocation of its trade is very unwelcome. IMPORTERS CONCERNED GOVERNMENT TO BE APPROACHED By Telegraph—Frees Association AUCKLAND, November 8. In an effort to bring about an early conclusion to the labour dispute on the Auckland waterfront, a meeting of the Auckland Importers’ Association, Limited, decided to take steps to bring the matter before the attention of the Government. Deep concern was expressed at the continued deterioration of the waterfront conditions, it being thated that as a result loss was being incurred both by the commercial community and the

general public, and that the trade of the country as a whole was being damaged.

The following telegram was sent to the New Zealand Importers’ Fed-ra-tion at Wellington: “A meeting of our Association held this rternoon requests you to approach the appropriate Minister and urge an immediate resumption of work on the Auckland waterfront, pending a settlement of the dispute in a constitutional manner. The causes of the dispute are beyond our province, but the effect thereof is disastrous to importers and the community generally. Tire position will become more acute on the arrival of the Wanganella tomorrow with a heavy cargo and a limited port time. If the cargo is not unloaded it will be several weeks before same is back at Auckland. Please give urgent attention to this.”

Mr P. J. Spry, secretary of the Auckland limporters’ Association, said that while it was not for the Association to suggest where the trouble lay, it whole-heartedly supported the suggestion for the immediate appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate thoroughly waterfront esnditions, with a view to having them placed on such a basis that the community would be Insured of receiving from all interests concerned the service it was entitled to expect.