SHIPPING STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1922, Page 1

SHIPPING STRIKE.

|_BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION 1 AtORE SHIPS RUNNING. WELLINGTON, Nov. 10. The Nikau, which left Wellington for • Nelson to-night, took 46 passengers. The Alarine Department granted a permit for the vessel to carry 16 passengers in excess of her usual complement. i Tlie Ajikau arrived from Nelson with , ’ nearly 30. tons of perishable goods, ini’ ’ eluding 53 crates of strawberries, eggs, butter; malt, tomatoes and green peas. The Chatham reached Wellington ; from Lvttelton at 2 a.m. to-day having ! qii hoard the Governor-General and i Viscountess Jellicoe. She also carried • mails. \ tlie' Union Company stated that the Jvnhika will sail to-night, when a, crew lias been completed "which was being got together. The boat would be man- • tied by “free” labour. It would carry ‘ passengers and cargo for New Plymouth. ' I The AVainui is to sail to-morrow for l’icton at 2 o’clock. Slie has. had steam up for the last two days. ■ J The ATararoa is to continue her run i . on the ferry service as usual. | The Afaungajiui sailed at 10.40 a.m.

to-day for San Francisco. There was a steady stream of applicants at the bureau for the enrolling of free labour. Probably about 50 men enrolled this morning. THE EAIPLOYERS’ PLANS. WELLINGTON, November 15. The position of the mosquito fleet was referred to to-day by a local shipping man, who stated that, as far as he could see, there was no reason why the small fleet should not lie hack to its normal running within a short time. The position of the mosquito fleet, he said, was somewhat different from that of the larger regular coastal trader as the number of seamen carried on the smaller ships was only one or two whereas the crews of a larger type of coaster numbered a dozen or more. Under the fourth schedule, of tlie Shipping and Seamen Act, 1908, he said it was laid down that steamers of 100 to 25p horse power are required to carry only two firemen. Vessels between these limits of horse power trading around Wellington, included such steamers as the Wakatu, tho Kennedy, Kapuni, AVootton, Hawera, any Cygnet. Thus should the needed labour offer, he said, it was quite reasonable to expect that vessels of that class would he in commission again shortly. AVELLINGTON November 15. Substantial quantities of sugar have arrived in Wellington by rail from ■Auckland, and no shortage is likely in this commodity. NELSON, November 15. The Anchor Company advertise tho sailing of the Nikau for Wellington to-morrow evening. LYTTELTON POSITION. CHRISTCHURCH. November 15.. The position in tho shipping trouble is unchanged. It is uncertain whether the Veronica will take the mail north to r night. The eaptaiii of the Tutanekai says that ho is uncertain whether he sails north to-night or goes to tho Chatliams to-morrow. The Wangatui is still waiting for a crew. Tho Alararoa is fully hooked for the trip north to-morrow-. There was a good response to tho call for free labour, including men with previous experience. Crews have l)een booked for the Wiiigatui and Wanaka for Auckland, and it is hoped to dispatch them to-day. AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, November 14. The shipping situation is unchanged The AA’aihemo, which arrived from the Pacific Coast ports on Sunday, left for Napier. One man signed off here. He was replaced without trouble.

FREE LABOUR AIARKET. LYTTELTON, Nov. 14

With a ready response of “free” labour to the .shipowners’ advertisement, the prospects of clearing Lyttelton ol idle boats is now much better. Several of the Union Company's laid-up steamers got nj> steam to-dav on preparation for a move. The Cygnet, Wakatii, and Wan,aka will commence leading to-morrow. The Katoa, Wingatiu,

and Katnona are in the stream to-night ready for departure. WELLINGTON, Nov. Id

Mr Bishop, the Secretary of the Shipowners’ Federation, said to-night that the Shipping Labour Bureau in Cuba St was “workHig well.” He added: “Present indications are that we shall get more men than we need. We have n snrnrisimdv nafisfnrtorv resnonse to

tho call for men. They are coming in faster than we can get ships ready to take them!”

TUTANEKAI’S ORDERS. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 14 Tlie Government steamer Tutanekai arrived at Lyttelton from the Bluff tonight. She leaves for the Chatliams on Thursday morning with urgentlyiieeded stores and mails. These were on board the Kamo, which is now held up at Oamaru, and are being railed to Lyttelton, where they will be shipped on the Tutanekai to-morrow afternoon. AUCKLAND “FREE” LABOUR. AUCKLAND, Nov. 15. The Shipping Companies have already received sufficient applications for work to provide crews for several coastal vessels. The Northern Coy. announces that five auxiliary coastal vessels will be despatched for coastal ports to-morrow. The Union Coy hopes to despatch the Arahura for Gisborne shortly. Tho Elsie (schooner) for the Great Barrier, and the Tulioe (auxiliary vessel) for Awanuf, were both despatched this evening with free labour. Their loading and departure were watched by the police.

SYDNEY AIHN INCENSED. SYDNEY, Nov. 15 A meeting of the Seamen’s Union is called for to-morrow to discuss the position which lias arisen out of the Ne\v Zealand trouble. Afany rumours are current regarding the possible outcome of the meeting, among others that they (local seamen) resent the treatment meted out to tho crews of the Atoeraki and the Waikawa. Among many seamen gathered in the vicinity of th Union offices to-day were heard indiividual declarations that they would man no vessels until tli? two crews were released, and Australian rates and conditions observed. How far this represents the feeling of the men as a whole remains to be shown at to-morrow’s meeting, and whatever will betide. The preparations for despatching th“ Mnkurii and Uliniaroa on the fixed dates is proceeding.

Immaculately attired, top-hatted and with an expanse of saffron shirt front, a tall rather pallid-looking hero strode down the steps of the Government Buildings recently, hesitated on the edge of the kerb to light a cigarette and looked enquiringly for a taxi. Then things worthy of a place in “Limehouse Nights,” began to happen. Two pale-faced ruffians violently attacked him, overcame him, threw him into the hack seat of a car, which had meantime drawn up and drove off 'flic most peculiar part of the occurrence—it happened in Worcester street ii< broad daylight, was tlie fact that it was repeated time after time, while a man with a megaphone, in the background gave friendly advice and exhorted the thugs to “hit him hard.” And the crowd stood round impassive and smiling! Christchurch is rapidly becoming familiar with the inner side of the “movies.” 0 Just a rub of liquid “TAN-OL” makes home a brighter place. Polishes floors, furniture and leather goods. Also in paste-form. A sure and pleasant specific for removing worms is WADE’S WORM figs. Women are New Zealand’s greatest asset. Next in order of merit comes “ No-Rubbing*’ Laundry Help, the famous nbolislier of wash-board slavery.— Dee Bros., agents for “ No-Rubbing.” —Advt.