SHIPPING TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1928, Page 3

SHIPPING TROUBLE

(Australian Press Association.) SEA COOKS’ TROUBLE. SYDNEY, Juno 10. Five hundred men answered tho call for free labour for ships at Melbourne. UNIONISTS DEMONSTRATE. SYDNEY, June 11. There was a ready response in Sydney to to-day’s call for “free” cooks to man steamers. Fifty men applied. Some demonstration occurred when the master of the steamer Mildura sought for seamen. Tho Unionists jeered at him, and also engaged in a hunt for non-unionists, some of whom were thrown outdoors by the enraged sympathisers of the cooks. SYDNEY, June 11. The latest Melbourne report states that a conference of the maritimo unions was held this afternoon and it was proposed that tlie cooks he given 24 hours to man the ships. COOKS OFFER REJECTED. SYDNEY, June 11. Following on a meeting to-day of the Marine Transport Group of Unions, and the Cooks, the decision was announced that the cooks are prepared to man all of the ships immediately on the terms of the suspended award, leaving the original cause of the dispute, the manning of the steamer Ulimnron, for later discussion, if the owners desire it. It is understood that the cooks’ terms do not include the abolition of the roster system (which lias been in vogue for years). Tho owners declare that the cooks’ offer is simply a “red herring.” SYDNEY, June 11. Men have continued to offer for work on tho steamer Mildura, though the firemen of tlio vessel are diffident about sailing in the face of tho onlooking unionists, who jeered the men who signed on. It is expected that this ship will complete a crew this evening and will get away early to-morrow morning for Brisbane.

TRADES UNION ADVICE. SYDNEY, June 12. The Trades Union Council and Maritime Unions instructed all unionists to continue working until otherwise Instructed. The Seamens Union, however, instructed members not to offer themselves. Messrs Duggan and Croft (president and secretary respectively of the Trades Union Council) telegraphed to Mr Tudehopo: “Strongly suggest you instruct your members to resume immediately. Position more than critical. Will assist in every manner possible to adjust details after resumption.” Seamen manned the Loongana at Melbourne yesterday and sailed for Launceston without cooks in the presence of two thousand spectators. BRISBANE COOKS OFFERING. BRISBANE, June 12. The local branch of the 'Cooks Union instructed their solicitor to apply to the Commonwealth Arbitration Court for de-registration of the Marine Cooks Union, on the ground that the rules were not being carried out in a bona fide manner. It is expected the hearing will he in Sydney on Monday next. H. Snell (Brisbane Secretary) announces lie has received- n. telegram from Mr Tudehopo advising the cooks to stand solidly, as the union has the support of the seamen and watersidcrs. Tudehope’s advice was rejected, the men offering for re-employment immediately the seamen decided to carry on. The men are offering for all ships.