SHIPPING DISPUTES

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1926, Page 3

SHIPPING DISPUTES

SEAMEN WHINING

[Australian it N.Z. Cable Association.] SYDNEY, March 25. Officials of the Seamen’s Union complain in connection with the coastal strike that the owners adopted an uncompromising attitude in having refused to dispense with the volunteers in favour of the strikers. The owners have demonstrated that they can run their ships without tho assistance of the- unions and during the recent conferences have impressed upon tho union officials their independence in this respect In consequence strong endeavours are being made bv Mic unions to evolve means of bringing pressure to bear upon the owners in tho hope that they will adopt a more eoncifialorv attitude.

Tt is authoritatively learnt that tho union officials have approached the Government and asked it to reduce the freights «n tho const a 1 railways in order to divert trade from the shipowners. but it is understood the Government gave no definite reply. Another Union scheme is to precipitate a general hold-up of shipping, both coastal and inter-Mato. A deputation from the Iron Trades Union, asked the Minister of Railways to provide work for about six hundred men who have been idled ns the. result of the strike at Morts Dock. Union officials n Heel aired that these men were not strikers, l>u( those affected by the strike.

The Ministers promised to refer the. matter to tho Minister of Labour and Industry, who is deputed to deal with matters relating to Hie strike.