SHIPPING DISPUTE.

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19330, 9 August 1934, Page 8

SHIPPING DISPUTE.

DETAILS OF NEGOTIATION.

-EFFORTS BY SEAMEN’S UNION-

AGREEMENT BY THE MEN,

(Bv Telegraph.—Press Association ! WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Greymouth men were put on the West Coast train this morning, and will reach Greymouth this <3^ e ” ln ®- where they will be placed aboard their Particulars of the events which led to the recommendation being made to Ihe Governor-General for the conditional release of the men were outlined by Hon. J. G. 'Cobbe. “Everybody was sorry,” he said, “that the seamen bad placed themselves outside of the law, and everybody would be pleased that the magistrate who dealt with the cases lecommended the release of the men on an undertaking being given that they would take their ships to sea, immediately." In consequence of the men s agreement-, the authenticity of which there was no reason to doubt, and on the advice of the magistrate, he had pleasure in advising His Excellency to remit the unexpired portion of the sentence imposed on the men. He said It was correct that Mr Walsh, president of the Seamen’s Union, had done much to bring about the agreement of the men to again work the -ships. It was represented to him that Mr Walsh was desirous of being -given an opportunity of interviewing the men collectively when they arrived at Paparua prison, and he desired to know, should they be agreeable to return to their ships, whether the Government would agree to their release from prison? Mr Walsh was informed that all facilities would be afforded him to address the men, but that no undertaking could be given in the matter of tlie-ir release. If the men were prepared to return to their ships their wish to do so and the question of their release would be represented to the magistrate for his recommendation. Officials Visit Prison. The superintendent of Hie Paparua prison reported yesterday to Hie Controller-General of Prisons, Mr Dallard, that Mr Walsh and four other members o-f the executive of tlie union had visited Paparua. and were permitted to address the men. The superintendent also reported that after a discussion lasting about three-quarters of an hour, which showed that there were only three or four dissenters, tho men decided that if released they would he prepared to immediately return to the ships. Mr Walsh then intimated that If the Government would agree to the men’s reelase he and the other members of the exccutivo would he prepared to accompany the men back to Greymouth to ensure that they carried out their undertaking. Particulars of Hie men’s agreement were then conveyed to the magistrate, who advised that if Hie men had given the undertaking they were prepared to rejoin their ships and take off to sea immediately, and the Union Steam Ship Company and other company concerned were willing to take them back, lie would be prepared lo recommend their release, on such conditions.

“It is very gratifying that all concerned have worked so successfully in bringing about a satisfactory settlement of the trouble,” said Mr Cobbe.