SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 September 1925, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLE.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.J IXT MIV KNTI ON KUriTLESS. SYDNEY. Sept. Hi. The efforts of a member of I he Slate 'Government to intervene in the shipping dispute proved fruitless and a conference ut present is not likely. The seamen refused to attend any conference until the whole of the strikers ill gaol have been released and demand that the Australian Seamen's t'nion shall! l>c admilited as a party to the conference. The shipowners maintain the National .Maritime Hoard is the only body whereby the rates of pay may he li>.ed. 'file only ground on which the men can Is l , released from gaol at the instance ol the shipowners is I hat the men are prepared to rejoin their slupJ'or full duly. The position has reached a deadlock. The crew of the steamer l’ort Vi riling! on. who were informed of the reduction before they lelt home, were oili-red. but refused an opportunity to sign off. Tliev have joined "the strikers. MELBOURNE. Sept. Hi_. The crew of the Auloinedon which left Liverpool seven days alter the reduction refused to join the strike. Other vessels which lett home since the reduction are expected during the next- few days and the attitude of their crews to strikers may have a most important influence on the continuance or the ending ol the strike. Fifty-eight additional seamen have been arrested, They submitted !.vDuring the hearing oi charges against twenty-eight seamen, counsel for some of the shipowners stated he had been instructed to inform the nun that if they unconditionally retain to their ships they will receive the picvailing rate of wage and will he docked onlv for the time they were o|f the ships. Me said the seamen here cannot hope t( i force an increase on the owners, especially when they represent only one per cent of the seataring community. Counsel for the men asked tor a ieniaiul till to-day. which was granted.

.MORI*; SEAMEN SENTENCED. MELBOURNE. Sept. Hi. Forty-five seamen dealt with by the court were sent, to gaol for periods varying from seven to twenty-one dais and were ordered to lorleil Iwo or three days pay. Five apprentices from the- steamer Cornwall were ordered to he returned to the slop m custody of the master. ' A (HEW CHARGED.

CIIUISTCHVRC'H. 'Sept. 10

Charged with continued disobedience of law lul commands, and with impeding the voyage of the ship, 92 monikers of the crew* of the Ilororala appeared at Lyttelton this morning. They had marched to the Court in procession carrying many banners, hut strict discipline "ns maintained on route. The hearing is proceeding.