COMPULSORY conference;

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19661, 22 August 1935, Page 7

COMPULSORY conference;

NO STATEMENT ISSUED. THE STRIKE IN AUSTRALIA. MANNING OF SHIPS EXPECTED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. MELBOURNE, August 21. . The compulsory conference of the parties to the shipping dispute was held in Melbourne to-day. After two hours of disousslon the conference concluded, but by agreement between the parties no statement was issued. Mr Justice Dethridge presided. Mr W. Clark, president of the Seamen’s Union, subsequently expressed the opinion that all ships would b« manned by the end of this week. OWNERS’ TENTATIVE OFFER. WILL PROBABLY BE ACCEPTED. MEETING OF MEN TO-MORROW. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. MELBOURNE, August 21. A tentative offer was made by the shipowners to the seamen which will be submitted to a mass meeting of seamen in Sydney on Friday. It is regarded as practically certain that it will be accepted. The seamen’s representatives at the conference had been empowered to negotiate the best possible terms for a settlement, and instructed to concentrate chiefly upon a remission Of the penalties imposed on certain members of the crew of the Murada, who were dismissed and debarred from obtaining further engagements on other vessels owing to their refusal to take the Murada to sea.

The shipowners on their part adhered to their original right to the free selection of men at the pick-ups. They reiterated their promise not to discriminate against the Murada men in future calls for men, providing that the strikers returned to the ships.