SHIPPING CO'S. & SEAMEN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1926, 8 December 1913, Page 8

SHIPPING CO'S. & SEAMEN.

SIR JAS. MILLS INTERVIEWED. A CLEAR STATEMENT, PATIENCE BEING TAXED, (By Tole?rai)h--Prcn6 Association.) . Dimsrtta, December /. ■11l the course o! an interview vester* day, Sir Jas. Mills expressed the opinion that tho position in tho Dominion as regards both wharf labourers and salmon was distinctly easier, and ho stated emphatically that the "Union Company anticipated no difficulty in carrying on such ssrvieos as were necessary. "With regard to tho Australian trade," he wont 011, "there .is undoubtedly a difficulty, but there also we expect to bo able io maintain tho absolutely necessary comnnuiioatkn between Wellington and Sydney, and Auckland and Sydney. I understand tho Strike Coimmttco are rather building hopes of success upon tho probability of supplies of coal running short. We do not anticipate any diifiimlty in this rcspcct. Tho company have, sufficient stacks to carry 011 present services until after tho New Year, and wo havo three cargoes of coal from abroad to arrive during January, in addition to others now being carried."

In view of the freely expressed opinion that tho seamen regard themselves as being in the position of Having been virtually looked out, a statement from Sir James Mills on tho position ■existing between the seamen and the «hipmrno*s was requested, and also a statement as to •tho possibility of arbitration between the seamen and ship" owners. "1 can hardly believe," lie isaid, "that that ii s correct statement of tho seamen's attitude. It' is truo tli.it in sorno of the steamers first affected by the waterside workers' strike creirs woro paid off, but that was simply becausa there was 110 union labour available to discharge or Load cargo, and as tho sea* men set their faces' against assisting to work the cargo that was worked from the •wharves by non-unioti labour thc.ro was nothing to be gained, by keeping them on pay. Indeed, when this was' tried by the Huddart-Parker Company, in respect of tho Victoria, it is notorious) that her crow not only would not work the cargo or winches, but even took up an objectionable attitude towards tho Arbitration Unionists; and also to- tho new crews shipped. Furthermore, tho seamen were called out by their principal executive in WtfUiiigton, and- since then crews havo been withdrawn from all our steamers. "Tho seamen know that their positions are open far them, and far from locking them out, the company would bo glad to see them return to their : posts, but they must rcaliso that by,, holding out longer they will tax tho forbearance of the companies, and other steps will havo to' bo Liken io | man tho steamers. Tho companies so far havo not made it a condition that tho imio 11 of seamen should bo under i tho Arbitration Act (as has been dona with tho watersiders} but their (iatieuca and forbearance tiinnot be maintained indefinitely. The seamen and firemen must realise that the position they now tako up of blocking transport is made possible by legislation that has been formulated from time to time, in many eases at- their own instance. I fail to see what there is in tho position between tho seamen and the companies ; that calls for arbitration. There is ao dispute as to tho conditions of labour, and tho men's positions are open to them. ' It has always been understood that arbitration is what tho unions will not submit to. _ If the seamen's and tho firemen's'opinions havo changed iu this respects all they havo to do is register tinder thv Arbitration Act, where ample machinery is provided for dealing with any fiispute. As regards labour, it must not bo supposed that the company have Held aloof from tho seamen in any way. When a few days bro it was announced that the union would appoint delegates to wait on tho company they were promptly advised that tho management would bo only too . nleased to meet them."