THE WATER FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1921, Page 1

THE WATER FRONT

[by TELEGRAPH —PFJt PUEBS ASSOCIATION]

SHIP OUTSIDE THE COMBINE

UNLOADED BY THE MEN

WELLINGTON, March 5

An interesting phrase of the waterfront dispute to-day was caused by the arrival of ‘the Admiral C’odringtin, owned by the Poverty Bay Farmers .Meat Company, with a cargo of hardwood, principally for the Government. As this vessel is not controlled ihy the shipping interests with whom the watersidors proceed to unload the vessel, using the ship’s own deck gear. Ilie Harbour Board cranes not being available until to-morrow.

Employment was given to some 70 men, and these are understood to have agreed to work overtime until the discharge is completed. It! is expected that fulrther gangs will be employed to-morrow, bringing the total to 100. The labour was mil engaged *hrough the usual channels. 'l'llo opinion is expressed in some quarters that the valorsiders committed a breach of agreement in accepting employment in the circumstances. The ship has 1000 tons of coal aboard, but nothing is made known vet as l< its discharge. The Wellington Gas Company has secured sufficient coal supplies to> last about the- middle of next week. The Fading bakers needs have also been relieved bv the receipt of supplies o! Hour.

There are now nearly a score < vessels anchored in the harbour.

ANOTHER FREE SHIP. j ' A I CELAND, March 3. The latest developments in. connection with tin* waterside dispute is tlia an effort is being made to unload tin Cape Premier, which arrived on Wed nesday from Durban, with 3700 ton: of coal for the Railway Department The vessel berthed this morning. Tin captain, instructed by the owners, en deavoiired to arrange for discharge o cargo. He had no difficulty in securing labour on the waterfront, but wnenable to obtain the buckets and shov els necessary for unloading. Ho ap )• reached the Shipping Stevedores’ A? sH-iation. but it could not see its wain place 1 lit* equipnieni at his disposa' At present there seems little hop'd the Cape Premier being discharged this week.

LYTTELTON MEN STOP OYFRTIMICl JR I.STCH FRCI-1, March 3. I Alter working overtime for a fort night after the other main ports hat (eased, the Uyttelton wate’rsidors declined to work overtime to-night it - any vessel. ! The employers yepresentalives am! the Secretary of the Union visited ever\ ship in the harbour requiring ovenim. and interviewed the mien regar'din; their refusal to work. The men adhered to their original decision The Local Disputes Committee dis cussed the matter and then adjourned till noon to-morrow when there is i. prospect of a settlement.

TO WORK A COLLIER. AUCKLAND, March 3 A now phase of flic waterside dis pule developed to-day. when negofia Lions began between the* Captain of the Cape Premier, a collier from Durban and the Union, to have the coal discharged by unionists, without supervision of the Stevedores. The Unior agreed. It is understood that the Harbour Board cranes and railway trucks are available, but a difficulty ha. arisen over additional gear, including baskets and shovels, which are (lie property of the stevedores. The wntersiders expect to overcome this difficulty and begin working the vessel tomorrow morning.