SEA COOKS FAIL TO REACH AGREEMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18448, 26 April 1928, Page 10

SEA COOKS FAIL TO REACH AGREEMENT.

SHIPS REMAIN IDLE AT AUSTRALIAN PORTS

(United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copy ri gh t.)

SYDNEY, April 24. • A meeting of the Marine Cooks’ Union discussed the dispute with the I-luddart Parker Company, but failed to reach a decision that would bring about a settlement, and the ships at present remain idle. The secretary of the union stated that the union was not officially taking part in the dispute, but he was watching the interests of the men concerned. He added that the dispute was not inter-State in character, and consequently was outside the scope of the Federal Arbitration Court. Further action wall depend on the decision of the Court on Friday next. It is estimated that 470 seafarers are idle consequent on the hold-up of Huddart Parker’s entire fleet of seven vessels, the Ulimaroa, Zealandia, Corio, Yarra, Werribee, Barwop and Goulburn, with an aggregate tonnage of 27,387. The Seamen’s Union is resentful and declares that a handful of cooks have caused a wave of unemployment in its ranks without consulting it.

Mr Appleton, chairman of Huddart Parker's, in defending the action of his company, states that repeated calls were made for cooks to replace the strikers without success. He added: “We are now awaiting action by the Arbitration Court on Friday, and unless the Court fixes drastic penalties, including heavy fines, the men will continue to disobey the awards. “ The present position is intolerable. Since March 2 our offices at Auckland and Wellington, and other New Zealand agencies, have done no work. Should the Court decide to suspend the cooks’ award then the shipowners will decide what to do.”—Australian Press Association.