SHIPPING STRIKE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 4 July 1925, Page 5

SHIPPING STRIKE.

MR LANG’S EFFORTS. TO RE-OPEN NEGOTIATIONS. SYDNEY, Friday. The Prime Alinister (Air Lang) is making desperate efforts to reopen negotiations with Air Bruce, with a view to settling the shipping dispute, but thero does not seem much promise of bis intervention bearing the fruits of industrial peace. A meeting of the marine transport group and the employees of Alort’s dock decided not to work the Hunter, the •employees of the dock stating that they had no dispute with the dock management, but, being unionists, they would stand by the working class and ■say that until union labour was employed on the Hunter they would not work the steamer. The works, according to the management’s ultimatum, will now close on Alonday, rendering idle 1500 men.

Fifteen members of the crew of the Huddart-Parker steamer Zealandia have handed in notices. No reason is given.

Federal representatives of the unions interested in the shipping dispute will meet on Monday, when their attitude towards the trouble will bo declared. At this meeting the gas and electric lighting employees will also announce their decision. —P.A.

MAY SOON BE SETTLED. (•Received Saturday, 10.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. In consequence of intervention by the State Government the feeling in Ministerial and industrial circles is that the shipping dispute •will be settled at an early date. For a week past the leading Trade Unionists have been in daily conference with prominent members’ of Cabinet, and influential shipping owners have also been approached on behalf of the Government. It is stated that the reason that the crew of the Zealandia gave notice was that six men whose home ports are Fremantle and Adelaide intended to give notice on arrival at those ports. The Sydney seamen decided not to sail the Zealandia in view of the possibility of the vessel being held up cither at Fremantle or Adelaide through a shortage of men. Trouble is expected in getting the JBombala away from Brisbane, as seven members of the crew have given notice of their intention to leave the vessel there. Four others have been dismissed for various reasons. —P.A.