SHIPPING STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1922, Page 1

SHIPPING STRIKE.

[by telegraph—per press association SHIPOWNERS ATTITUDE. WELLINGTON, November 20. A statement from the Shipowners Federation was’made to-day. Before the shipping strike became general, the executive of the .Seamen’s Union had an interview with representatives of the shipowners and suggested that the shipowners should agree with the object of averting a general stoppage to re-execute the 1920 agreement, in lieu of the Arbitration Court’s award. The suggestion was not accepted, and the Union was informed tlmt the award must he given effect to. This meeting was held on Tuesday 7th. inst. On Friday 10th, following a stop-work meeting of seamen, the crews of all vessels In Wellington gave notice and similar action was taken at other ports. Since then no communication has been received either by the Shipowners Federation or by any individual Shipping Company. Many Union men have offered themselves for engagement under the terms of the award this morning, both in Wellington and at other ports, but shipowers arc not prepared to engage any Union men until such time as the executive of the Union approaches the owners and offers some satisfactory agreement that during the currency of the award there will he no further stoppage of work, and that any dispute that may arise shall be dealt with in the manner provided for in the award . The seamen are meeting this afternoon to consider the situation. SEAMEN SENTENCED. AUCKLAND, November 20. At tho Police Court, ATichael Murphy and John Kelly were charged with intimidation and obscene language towards the crew of the schooner Houto, Mr Wilson S.AI. said the accused would have to get a lesson. Each was sentenced to 1-1 days imprisonment on the first charge. On the language charge a conviction was .recorded only. Charges of assaulting the master of the Houto were preferred against three other mew, Lawson, Newhert and Green.

Three men charged with assault on C'apt. M'illiamson of schooner Houto were sentenced to two months hard labour. TO RETURN TO WORK. AUCKLAND, Nov. 20. The Seamen’s Union decided by five to one. vote to return to work, provided free labour is not employed. The M'aipori. will he put into commission at oncet* The Navua leaves tonight for the western Pacific. Knrow to-morrow for south. GISBORNE, Nov. 20. The call for labour to work Richardson Coy's steamer Awnhou, manned by free labour, was made this morning. without response. POINCARE’S PRESCRIPTION. PARIS, Nov. IS. Premier Poincare, in the Chamber, contrasted the apparent ruin of tho German State anil the scandalous prosperity ol German industry. He said it could not be pretended that the collapse of the German mark was due to the enormity of the German debt, or to the German reparations payments. Severe control ol the German finances was lKi-essary. Germany could carry out a reasonable progreinme of restitution in kind. The Allies obtain nothing by prayers him! supplications. Tbe Reparations Commission had met with nothing but impotence, inertia and had will from llerlin. The time had come for the Allies to agree on making Germany meet her liabilities. By waste and exti a vaganee at home, anil by the inflation of her currenev, Germany had created her own financial distress. CUNO’S CABINFi. BERLIN. Nov. 20 Herr ■(. lino's efforts to form a cabinet were frustrated by the party demands. The Centre Party, in loyalty to exPremicr AA'irth, disapproves of the appointment of Herr Hermes as Foreign Minister. The People's Party insists on Herr Stress man ids appointment. The Socialists demand five portfolios. President Ebert obtained the leaders’ agreement to Ilcrr Ouno’s formation of a Cabinet irrespective of party, the Socialists reserving approval. • TIGER” ON TOUR. NEW YORK, Nov. 18 Al. Clemenceati lias arrived oil a visit to the United States. In a statement, bo said: “In my life 1 have scon France twice invaded bv the Germans. 1 do not wish to see that again. Therefore, we must have lasting guarantees before ire disarm. When we get them, we will disarm. I believe that Americans, too. are thinking wo must defend ourselves.” SHIPPING POSITION. (Received this day at 8 a.in.') SYDNEY, November 20. Unless the position changes in the meantime it -is doubtful if the Alnkura will get away on the scheduled date, Thursday. It is understood the crew intimated that they will not sign until tlie Moeraki’s and AVaikawa’s crews have been released. It is believed tlie intention is to maintain this position whether tho strike collapses in New Zealand or not. When the Koromiko’s three arrested men, mentioned yesterday, were placed aboard, they declined to work. The remainder of the crews supported them whereupon the whole crew was arrested on a charge of refusing duty. This following the imprisonment of two of the Kauri’s crew further aggravated tho position at Newcastle.