A DOMESTIC SQUABBLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 108, 10 May 1933, Page 10

A DOMESTIC SQUABBLE

The hold-up of certain vessels in New Zealand ports by the action o; certain of the seamen is very regrettable. Tinies arc too hard for the addition of any avoidable difficulties to those trade and commerce are already struggling with. The loss of time and the extra expense incurred by a holdup of important shipping services are very serious, but a worse phase of the matter is that such happenings are likely to cause apprehension at a time when confidence is more necessary than ever if trade is to recover. The cause of the hold-up appears to bo a domestic squabble between various sections of the Seamen’s Union. The executive of the union had made a fresh agreement with the shipowners, which apparently docs not meet with approval by all its members, and the stoppage of work is the result. It is difficult to see what the agitators expect to gain from a hold-up of the vessels. Shipowners are finding it quite difficult enough to keep their vessels in commission, and the prospect of laying up some of them will have its compensations, however regrettable the broach in continuity of service may be. It is the public which suffers most, as is usually the case when trade disputes lead to the 44 direct action” so beloved of a certain stamp of Labour agitator. Such action rarely improves the lot of the wage-earners who unwise enough to follow it, but it docs inflict, considerable hardship and inconvenience upon the public. With demands for assistance for the unemployed being met on every hand there is likely to be little patience shown by the community with men who will not accept employment upon terms and conditions which their own leaders have agreed to as fair and reasonable. —Taranaki Daily News.