LABOUR POSITION SERIOUS AT WELLINGTON

Chronicle (Levin), 11 January 1947, Page 8

LABOUR POSITION SERIOUS AT WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, Jan. 10. The Union Company's intereolonial vessel Karitane whieh has been at Wellington sinee Alonday night sailecl today t'or New' Plyrnouth because of the labour shortage here. Since she reached Wellington she has had no labour of any ldnd to'unload he? full cargo of Avheat. It is hox^ed there wil 1 be sufficient labour at Ne>v P.lyjnouth. This is the first time a ship has been d.iverted from AVelbngton because of the shortage of labour. With the sailing today of the Port Saint 'John anc! Gothic Star for Lyttelton and the Karitane for New Plymbuth the eongestion at Wellington was slightly, relieved. The Pa panni is expected to sail for Aiicldattd 011 Alonday. Tlm Avonntoor whieh has been at Wellington loading wool for Ihe United Kingdont is expected to sail for Napier on Alonday. Tlie labour position 011 the vvalerfront was still very serious today. Several ships were eontpletely without labour and the majoritv of the others were working short. The Port Tauranga whieh has been at AVellington for a week has had no labour since her nrrival. ' She is waiting to diseharge timber from. Australia .and there is no ])rospect of her beginning to diseharge before Alonday or Tuesday. The constnl vessels Storm and Breeze had no lahour and the AVaihento, Salamaua, Waimarino and Kartigi were all-work-ing short.