SHIPPING DISPUTES

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1926, Page 2

SHIPPING DISPUTES

NO FAITH IN UNION. [Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] SYDNEY, Alarch. 16. The request of the Secretary of the Federated Seamen’s Union for a conference with the coastal steamship owners was considered by a meeting of the Coastal Owners’ Association, who refused to meet the union, stating that the members of tho Association have no faith in the union or its officers. Tlie owners express tho opinion that no good purpose will be served by conferring with the union. The owners’ reply continues: ‘‘The position is one of the Union’s own making, and, as an undertaking of the union under which the men were reinstated in August last, has been treated so lightly that members of this Association do not feel justified iii meeting the union in conference. They fear, from the experience of the past, that the officials of the union regard a settlement, and the conditions of a settlement, only as a fleeting obligation entered into for tlie purpose of getting the union members back to their jobs when the object of tlie strike lias failed. Your members refused to carry out their jobs and others hud to be engaged to take their places and the companies obligations are to the present crews.”