HOLD-UP AT PORT STILL ON; OWNERS AND MEN CONFER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17832, 28 April 1926, Page 9

HOLD-UP AT PORT STILL ON; OWNERS AND MEN CONFER

MARRIED WATERSIDERS CANNOT STAY OUT WITHOUT HARDSHIP.

When a call was made at Lyttelton this morning for coal discharging labour for the Coolana, which is still the preference ship, there was again no response. The foreman of the Westport Coal Company then mounted the stand and called for one coal gang to bunker the tug Lyttelton from the Westport Coal Company's hulk. A gang was selected from the fairly large crowd of labourers offering, and when their names were read out they proceeded to work. No extra pay was demanded. The reason for the men accepting the call was stated to be due to the fact that the tug is considered by all parties concerned as very essential in rase of accident and rescues, and on that account she is exempt from holdups such as at present exist. There was the usual number of watersi ders on the beach at S a.m. It was reported that the watersiders’ executive committee met this morning and that Mr J. Roberts, general secretary of the Watersiders’ Federation, who arrived at Lyttelton this morning by the Maori, attended the meeting. Mr W. Bennett, secretary- to the Shipping Employers’ Federation, arrived from Wellington this morning to attend the conference arranged by the Mayor of Lyttelton (Mr F. E. Sutton) with a view of effecting a settlement. At eleven o’clock representatives from both sides met at the Christchurch City Council Chambers in conference. The employers were represented by Mr E. Huntly Eliott (Christchurch manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company), Mr W. H. Price (manager of the Union Company), Mr F. Horn (marine superintendant for the Union Company at Lyttelton). Mr J. Garrard (manager for Kinsey and Co. at Lyttelton), and Mr W. Bennett (secretary Shipping Employers’ Federation). The watersiders were represented by Mr J. Roberts (general secretary of the Watersiders’ Federation), Mr J. Flood (secretary of the Lyttelton Watersiders), and Messrs E. M’Farlane, W. E. Agar, and T. Radclitfe (members of the Lyttelton Watersiders’ Executive Committee). No reporters were allowed to attend the meeting, but it was stated that a joint report would be supplied at 3 p.m. after a further meeting of the employers was held. It was not announced whether Mr F. E. Sutton would be chairman at the meeting or not, but it is understood that he would at least open the conference. Residents of the port and watersiders alike are hopeful that a settlement will eventuate as the result of the conference, for it is openly admitted that married men who earn their livelihood on the waterfront cannot withstand being unemployed without great hardships. It is recognised by all acquainted with the present conflict that many difficulties will no doubt arise at the conference, but it is generally hoped by all concerned that both parties will arbitrate with beneficial results or with resuits that a resumption of work will eventuate.