SHIPPING DISPUTES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1926, Page 2

SHIPPING DISPUTES

LYTTELTON TROUBLE

[by TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, April 23, AYitli the arrival to-day at Lyttelton of three overseas vessels, all of which are now idle, owing to the deadlock on the waterfront, the position at Lyttelton has become most serious.

It is certain that some action to end the position must be taken next week, and it is even rumoured that free labour will he called up to handle tho cargoes now waiting for discharge and loading.

The small steamer AA’ootton arrived yesterday afternoon from AVellington. Her owners are not members of the Federation, and labour was engaged as usual.

The ferry steamer AJaori to-day worked perishable cargo only. The AA’aipalii. which was clue at Lyttelton to-morrow from Auckland direct, with a cargo of Island fruit, ex tho Tofua, has been diverted to Tininru. At.ost of her cargo will be disposed of there, but some may be railed to Christchurch.

The Anglo-Columbian was one of tho overseas steamers that arrived to-day. She brought a part cargo of sulphur from, the Gulf of Alexico. It was thought that she might call for labour, but her charterers, G. Scales and Co., are members of the Federation and the ship remained idle. The AVailiemo is due at Lyttelton to-, morrow morning with a cargo from San Francisco. She will be placed on tho idle list along with the Anglo-Colum-binn. Mataknna, Canadian ATillcr, and tho “ preference ” ship, the Coolana. The Canopus, with one gang working, should complete discharge tomorrow, when she will sail for Westport.

SEAMEN’S NEW AGREEMENT. WELLINGTON, April 23. The Seamen’s Union, having cancelled the registration under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, any new agreement as to wages and conditions will iliave to be reached as the result of private arbitration? Negotiations are now proceeding between the Union and the shipowners with a view to arranging a conference. Claims by seamen have already been submitted to the employers, but the nature of these has not yet been disclosed yet. THE ARRESTED SHIP. AUCKLAND, April 23. Judge Herdnnui is hearing the action by the eonsigness against the Captain and crew of the American barque “Guy C. Ross ” as defendants, for an order for the discharge of the cargo from the writ of arrest issued at the instance of Captain and crew. Mr G. P. Findlay represented the consignees, Messrs V. R. Meredith and V. Hubble, the Public Works Department, as consignees ; Mr T. N. Holmden, the crew; and Mr R. AlcVeagh appeared for Cnpta in Ded rick. Replying to the Judge, Mr Holmden said there was a writ on which he had obtained a lien on, the ship and cargo, and the question would arise as to whether the master "had the right to hypothecate the cargo on the voyage. He objected that all t the voyage. He objected that all the consignees were not represented, and submitted that the Court could not deal with the case in their absence. - Mr McVeagh said the captain and crew had a clear right to a lien on the ship. It was another question when it came to the cargo. Mr Holmden also demanded the production of the ship’s articles. His Honour said the difficulty was to determine whether the law of New Zealand or America was applicable. Mr McVeagh said that the crew had received no money for wages or food. Application had been formally made to ~ tile U.S.A. Consul. After a long argument on the tiou of jurisdiction the hearing was adjourned till Monday.