Seamen’s Dispute.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1922, Page 1

Seamen’s Dispute.

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EXECUTIVE’S PROLONGED SITTING. WELLINGTON, Nov. S

The position in connection with the seamen’s trouble remains unchanged. Humours were current that some definite pronouncement would be made by the Executive of the Seamen’s Federation to-night, but Air W. T. Young, Secretary, states that tho Executive are still in session, and likely to remain so until the end of the week. The Ulimaroa arrived to-day. Tho crew are on Australian articles, and no trouble is anticipated.

FIVE IDLE AT LYTTELTON. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 8 There are now five Red Funnel steamers held up at Lyttelton, with every prospect of a sixth, and possibly a seventh to-morrow. The latest to join the idle fleet is tho Ivini, which, late last night was compelled to anchor in the stream instead of proceeding to Napier, owing to her being short of a man. I The Wingatni came in from tho stream to-day to discharge a consignment of potatoes shipped for Auckland. | The Kakapo is short of four men, and endeavours made to-day to fill the vacancies were without success. The vessel does not complete discharge till to-morrow, so developments are not expected till then. I The steamers idle are the Karon, Wingotni, Kini, Katoa, and Wannka. | DEVELOPMENTS AT DUNEDIN. j DUNEDIN, Nov. 8 j The first development in the recent shipping dispute so far as tho port of Dunedin is concernad, occurred today, when several of the deck hands of the Union Company’s cargo steamer Kaitoki gave the master 24 hours’ notice that they wished to leave tho ship. i Under the new seamen’s award, which provides that no seaman can leave his ship except at the port at which he joined, the master refused to accept the men’s notice. Most of the crew of the Kaitoki camo from Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Newcastle. In the meantime the position is that the men must either abide by the award or break it by leaving the ship without having signed off. Tho ship is not affected in the meantime.

MORE SHIPS IDLE. CHRISTCHURCH. Nov 7

The number of ships held up sit Lyttelton sis n result of trouble with stoke hold crews was increased to four today, by the addition of the Wanak.n. which was recently wconimissioned, after a long period of idleness at Port Chalmers. She carried extra liremen up the Coast, but while at Timaru, it is alleged, one of the firemen deserted. As she. still had her legal complement, she came on to Lyttelton, but leaving the southern port, the. stokehold hands signified their intention not to proceed further than Lyttelton, unless another man was procured. As the man was not forthcoming, the vessel put out into then stream to join the Karori, Wingatui and Katoa. MANUKA’S CREW OUT. AUCKLAND, Nov 7.

The seamen and firemen ol the Manuka gave twenty-four hours’ notice to-day. Over one-hundred passengers had hooked hv the steamer, which was timed to sail for Sydney on Thursday. The Manuka, which is on Australian articles, is due here on Thursday from Vancouver, sailing the next day for Sydney. She will take the Manuka’s passengers and mails.

The crews of two small coasting vessels have given notice. The total of ships now affected is 120, of which three are at Onchimga. The total includes ]<) coastal steamers, six intercolonial cargo steamers, and the Manuka. Jt is intended to pay off the Navua on he rarrival to-day from Fiji. In any case, she wouhl remain here ten days. The* Flora, is also to lay 7 up. AUCKLAND, Nov 8.

The position on the waterfront is unchanged A special meeting of masters "and officers of the Union Company is being held this afternoon It is understood that they are considerably dissatisfied with the new award.