PACIFIC COAST SHIPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 243, 14 October 1936, Page 7

PACIFIC COAST SHIPS

SAA FRANCISCO DISPUTE SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 12. Mr. Edward McGrady, Assistant Secretary of Labour, announced today that he had asked the Maritime Commission to arbitrate in the Pacific shipping dispute after the Commission had acquired full power. Mr. McGrady reported that he was endeavouring to persuade Mr. H. Bridges, one of the men's leaders, to accept arbitration. A cable dated September 30 reported that the Maritime Commission had pleaded with owners and unions to avert the threatened tieup for Pacific Coast shipping, affecting 37,000 men. Union contracts vere to expire early next day. The Commission sent a telegram to Air T. Bridges, San Francisco, as key nan, asking him to accept a 60-day extension of the present agreement. Later information stated that a 15day truce was vertually assured. On October 7 it was reported that in an effort to settle the Pacific Coast shipping deadlock. Mr. McGrady would confer with the Maritime Commission and then leave by aii for the Pacific Coast to present the Commission's views. It was said that the Commission, which is headea by Rear-Admiral Wiley, would probably offer its services without pressure on owners and sailors. Mr. Harry Lunenberg, head of the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, presented the organisation’s demand that the Commission exert pressure on shipowners, who, he said, “received millions in subsidies and refused to discuss wages, hours, and conditions. ’’ However, it was pointed out that three joint conferences between owners and sailors had been held, in the preceding 60 days.