SEAMEN’S STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1922, Page 3

SEAMEN’S STRIKE.

f BY TELEORAPIf—UKII PRESS ASSOCIATION]

SUSPENSION OF SHIPPING AND ' SEAMEN’S ACT. j WELLINGTON, Nov 14. ’ j 1 The most important development of j the shipping strike to date is announe- i ed to-day. This is the suspension by 1 the Government of certain restricting clauses in the Shipping and Seamen’s Act. ,

'[’his iis dono so as to relievo the ; ship-owners, temporarily, of their oh- ' ligations mulor th.c preference to unionists and tin? other clauses of the award and so enabling them to (.Migage, non-union labour. The shipping companies are thereby rendered legally able to man their vessels despite any hold-up of seamen or firemen

The suspension of the Art applies to liny vessels which the owners see fit t<> work provided that- the Marine Department is satisfied 'that necessary precautions are taken for the safety of life and limb.

HALS. CHATHAM’S OFFER. WELLINGTON, Nov 14

The H.M.S. Chatham, with the Go-vernor-General and Lady .Tellicoe on hoard left Lyttelton for Wellington at noon to-day.

The commander of the. Chatham had offered to take a certain number of deck passengers. In view of the Marnron entering the' ferry .service the proixrsul has not hern proceeded with.

OWNERS INVITE ASSISTANCE. ; CHIUSTCH I’IJCJ-1, Nov 14. | The Ship-owners’ Federation held a j meeting at Christchurch this aiter- : noon. They ckicided to advertise lor able seamen, firemen and trimmers to work under the new Arbitration Court award ratos a.nd conditions. I heir idea is to despatch the vessels in port to their destinations, and then continue ■ to work them as usual. ft is now exported thsit sill the vosseis in l.yttolton will he despatched with the next few days. A ni'imher of applications for woik were received at the oflice of the Sliipi owners’ Federation this atteinoou. It is anticipated tliere will he a hig response to the advertisements that ~]•.. t„ l,e inserted in to-morrow mornpapers. Many of tho applicants are men who had' heen unemployed previous to the strike.

THE MEN’S CASh

WELLINGTON, November 11. Invited to-night to state the case of the men. Mr T. Young, Secretary of the Seamen’s T nion said: —“I am not making any statement at present. We have our case, he added, and we will present it ft the proper time, but that is not yet.” SIR IKK NEWS. WELLINGTON. Nov. 15. The strike is causing a shortage of i emeni and the Mayor says the City Council will have to stop work as soon as the present supplies run out. Lie aNo added that tho unemployment fond was not going to he used to assist men on strike.

The announcement that arrangements had been made fi r fruit boats to run to Nelson, caused some curiosity as to how the crews were provided. Tt is now stated they are not Union labour. Tho Owners Federation has opened a labour office and announces a satisfactory response. Three crows could have heen supplied for the Mannganni.

M A UNO A NUT S YlF.fi. WELLINGTON. Nov 15. Tho Maunganui sailed at ID.-10 tolav for San Francisco.

ENROL' INO FREE LABOR. WFI I INGTON. Nov 15. There is a steady stream of applit anls at the bureau for enrolling free I- hour. Rrchahlv about- fifty were enro’ied this morning.

THREE CREWS SIGN ON. i CHRISTCHURCH, Nov 15. The position of the shipping trouble | is unchanged, and it is uncertain | whether 11.M.5. Veronica will take j the mail north to-night. 1 The- captain of the Tutanckai says he is uncertain whether he sails north ' to-night or goes to Chathams to-mor- , row. ; Tho Wingntui is still waiting for a ] crow. i The Mnraroa is fully hooked, for the , 'rip to-morrow. | Tlitre was a good response t-o the call fm* free Labour, including men j with previous experience, i (Yvws have hm ti hooked lor the , Wingatui and Wauakti for Auekla-ml. ! and it- is hoped to despatch them to- ! dav.