SHIPPING DISPUTES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1925, Page 3

SHIPPING DISPUTES

iUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION -MEN and .MASTERS LEFT(Received His day at 10. ‘25 a.m.) MELBOURNE, January 9. Large numbers of seamen assembled at the Mercantile Marine Office Keeking employment. The shipowners decided to pick ii]) men at four in iho after-

noon. but after waiting all the morning and most of the afternoon the 'men left before that hour. It is stated that at three o'clock the thoroughfare was almost blocked by seamen. A constable appeared and ordered the men to move on. The order was resented and the position was explained to the constable who consulted the marine office. The men were then informed that a yard at the hack of the office was available for their accommodation. However, when the masters of the vessels requiring crews arrived. the men had disappeared. ANOTHER COMPLICATION. (Received this day at 10.2 A a.m.) MELBOURNE. January 9. A new development has been brought about by tbe announcement of the Marine Engineers Institution that its members could not leave the ships to pick uj) the men at the Marine Office. If its members were required to pick up labour on behalf of their ships the men would have to hi nought to the ships. The dispute so far as Melbourne is concerned has now reached a stage when any day might see a settlement or even a more hopele: it nation created. MERCHANTS ALARMED. PERTH January 9. The wholesale produce merchants Vi- iw with alarm the threatened cessntou of the Tutor-State shipping. They declare that- if the shipping should he -utirelv suspended there will la* a lamine in some lines within a ‘ew weeks. 11l normal times between t(< 89.090 and L'SOO.OOO worth of goods came from the' Eastern States monthly, consisting maiulv of daily produce, and sugar.