SHIPPING DISPUTES

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1925, Page 4

SHIPPING DISPUTES

Australian and n.z. cable association MR LARKIN INTERVIEWED. AUCKLAND, March 17. “The Government is seeing to the disposal of the ships. The matter is tight out of my hands now,” said Mr H. Larkin, chairman of the Commonwealth Shipping Board of Australia, referring to the proposed sale of vessels of the Commonwealth Line. Mr Larkin, with Mrs Larkin, was a passenger by the Aorangi to-day, for

Vancouver. Although not disposed to discuss the attitude of the Seamen’s Union towards the sale of these ships, and the reported suggestion that the union had offered to give the Government- security for the performance of their work without stoppages if the I’ritno Minister, Mr Ilruce. would withdraw the notilication offering the ships for sale. M Larkin said the Government had given the union plenty of nonc-c concerning the sale. The union had crippled the ■service, and what could be expected. 51 r Larkin is proceeding to London via America, to- negotiate for ilie sale of about eight Commonwealth liners, which are eld and now unfit for the service for which they were intended. “These ships are known as ‘barnacle’ vessels.” said Mr Larkin, “but they will make good tramp steamers. '1 he time i; opportune to take them Home, be"ause wheat freights are high and all of them are fully laden with wheat.” Asked if the .sale of these ships had anything to do with the shipping trouble in Australia, Mr Larkin replied that it had net. It was the usual policy lor the board soil old ships, ami the business was 1 ciug done in the

ordinary course of cvois. “I have had an exceptionally strenuous period.’’ continued Mr Larkin. <*1,11(1 I get out of it to have a complete rest.”

Mr Larkin has taken a prominent part in the shipping dispute* in the interest' of Ilia Goiinncnvv-eiilUi Shipping Board.