SHIPS HELD UP.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 752, 4 May 1933, Page 11

SHIPS HELD UP.

LYTTELTON AFFECTED BY DISPUTE. Waikawa Delayed. MEN AWAIT INSTRUCTIONS FROM WEIiIANCtTON. The shipping dispute, which has arisen over the question of seamen’s wages and conditions, spread to Lyttelton to-day. The trans-Paeific freighter Waikawa was scheduled to sail from Lyttelton for Dunedin at 11.30 am., but during the morning the seamen and firemen held a meeting which, it is understood, was attended by the union’s delegate, Mr T. Martin. The men decided that they would not sail until they had received further word from Wellington. At noon, it was stated that the Union Company had ordered back workmen to release the lines at 1 p.m., at which hour the vessel was expected to sail. At 3 pm., however, the Waikawa was still at the wharf. The men refused to go to sea until they had received instructions from Wellington. The inter-colonial steamer Waikouaiti is the only other vessel in port besides the ferry steamer. The Waikouaiti is discharging Australian cargo, and as far as could be ascertained she is not affected by any labour disputes. It was reported in one quarter at Lyttelton this morning that the dispute over which trouble arose at Wellington is not so much over the 5 per cent reduction in wages as it is an objection to one of the clauses in the new proposed agreement regarding the question of holidays.

CREWS GIVEN NOTICE.

Serious Position Develops at Wellington. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 4. The position in regard to shipping in port was still unaltered this afternoon. A meeting of seamen this morning lasted four and a half hours, after which it was stated that there was nothing for publication. The executive of the Seamen’s Union, it is understood, met this afternoon. It is also understood that the crews of all ships except the Lyttelton ferry steamers have been given twe ity-four hours’ notice as from 5 p.m. yesterday. Arrivals to-day were:—Kaimai, Inaha, Maori, Wainui, Gael, Holmdale, Calm and Kapiti. If a settlement is not reached these will join the hold-up. Due to-morrow are:—Poolta, John and Canopus. If the Monowai does not sail in tiipe to leave Sydney on May 12, the tour of the Australian Universities Rugby team will be affected. The team is due at Auckland on May 15. The Picton steamer Tamahine is still held up.

NO AIR MAIL YET.

Post Office Relying on Ferry Steamer. The Chief Postmaster at Christchurch, Mr J. G. Young, said to-day that no dislocation of the mail service between Christchurch and the North Island, through the ferry steamers being held up, was anticipated, and it had not yet been necessary to consider any alternative service. If the ferry boats were held up, however, there was nothing but an air mail service for the department to fall back upon.

Nelson Mails Delayed.

(Special to the - Stax.**> NELSON. May 4. Owing to the shipping strike, no North Island mails have reached Nelson since Tuesday morning. The Arahura, which should have sailed on Tuesday night, is still in Wellington.

Boats at Auckland Not Affected.

(Special to the ” Star.”) AUCKLAND. May 4. The trouble between the Seamen s Union and the Shipowners’ Federation at Wellington has not affected shipping at Auckland. On Tuesday the Niagara sailed for Vancouver and local coastal vessels were despatched according to timetable. Yesterday the Union Company’s steamer Waipahi sailed for Westport and a number of local vessels sailed for coastal ports.

WAIPIATA AFFECTED.

Per Prtes Association. DUNEDIN, May 3. Though it was reported from various sources this afternoon that there seemed no likelihood of trouble in Dunedin, it was found later that the Union Company’s coastal steamer Waipiata, which was scheduled to sail this evening, could not be cleared, as the men refused to sign on under the new articles. The ship’s articles had expired and new ones were prepared under the conditions outlined in a message received from Wellington. The seamen were unwilling to accept the terms offered, the stumbling block apparently being certain alterations to the clauses bearing on conditions. No alteration in wages or rates of overtime was proposed in the new articles. No other ship at Dunedin is affected by the situation which has arisen.

AIR MAIL ARRANGED.

Per Press Association. BLENHEIM. May 4. In co-operation with the Postal Department, Blenheim business people have arranged for an air mail service across Cook Strait during the seamen’s strike.