MARINE DISPUTE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18414, 22 June 1925, Page 9

MARINE DISPUTE.

UNIONS CONFERRING. . CRISIS LOOKED FOB NEXT MONTH. (bt cable—rarss ASSOcuTtoj:—toriKTCß*.} (AtTSTSALIAX AXD X.Z. CABLE ASJOCIATIOS.j (Received June 21st, 0.0 p.m.) SYDNEY, Juno 21. There is littlo likelihood of » solution of tho shipping dispute. The owners are firm in their decision not to countenance any form of job control methods. A special meeting of the marin» transport group of unions is be ins hcW on Monday, when all unions interested in the expected upheaval will be asked to define their attitude. If a strike eventuates it will extend throughout tho Commonwealth. The crisis is expected to come towards the end of July or early iu August when tho articles of practically all vessels plying between Australian ports will havo expired. The crews of over 60 per cent, of steamers sign on and off at Sydney, which is expected to he the atonu centre. It is expected that tho Commonwealth Lino will be drawn into tho dispute on Monday when tho Esperanto Bay arrives. Her articles expire on Tuesday and it appears certain that the crew will demand the insertion of a special clause in the new agreement, guaranteeing tho wages and conditions of the old award. Tho seamen have offered to modify tho original clauso to which objection was taken by tho owners, who, however, havo definitely refused to the now proposal. Tho now clauso asks that wages and general working conditions which were in operation on June 4th, 1925, be applicable to all members of the union employed on vessels.