CRITICAL MOMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1282, 10 November 1911, Page 4

CRITICAL MOMENT.

THE SHIPPING DISPUTE, negotiations between owners AND SEAMEN, PKEFEIIENCE CLAUSE. The negotiations between the ship; owners and the seamen by delegates from bolli sides me at present in a somewhat delicate position. The conference sal; for half the day yesterday, with Mr. P. If ally, Conciliation Commissioner, is ehainnan. The proceedings were in camera, and the rule that no information Iw given to Uie press was strictly observed. It is understood that the poi.nl of difference between the two sets of representatives is the preference clause on which the union insists. When tho owners would not agree to accept it tho seamen's delegates withdrew from the conference, but negotiations are not ended yet. After the uniou men withdrew the owners discussed the position from their point of view, and tho (seamen's delegates conferred with the Conciliation Commissioner and with one another in Mr. Rally's room in tho Labour Department's office. What decision either side an-ived at ii not known, but it is understood they will meet again to-day to communicate their findings. Tlio importance of the oonfercnco to New Zealand is so obvious that it needs no enlargement. It effecte about 7000 men directly, but every person in New Zealand will bo vidally concerned if no agreement is reached. Tho union has cancolled registration and it is stated that the men will strike if they arc dissatisfied with the results of tho conference. And a strike of seamen means, a calamity which everybody must suffer by if it lasts even for a week or two. The sailors would, it is elated, be followed jn6tantly by the water-sido workers, by tha miners, and possibly by all other transport workers.