TROUBLE PENDING

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1931, Page 5

TROUBLE PENDING

SEAMEN MAY TAKE ACTION. AGAINST MATSON SHIPPING LINE. (Australian Press Association.) (Received this day at 9.25 a.m) SYDNEY, November 24. Maritime workers throughout the Commonwealth may resort to direct action unless the Federal Government agree to prevent the Matson Line from trading between Australia and New Zealand. Arrangements are being made for a conference of all maritime workers at a nearly date to discuss the l question of making overtures to the Assistant Minister, Mr Cunningham. If the Unions fail to reach a satisfactory arrangement with him, Mr Scullin will be interviewed. If he refuses to act plans will be discussed to force his hand.

The secretary of the Dunedin branen of the Seamen’s Union( Mr Clarke, who is at present in Sydney, will address the meeting to-day.

Another matter to be discussed at the conference is the possibility of Australian maritime workers being thrown out of employment because of the change in the control of the Canad in n- A ust rali a n-N ew Zealand line, which operates the Aorangi and the Niagara. It is considered likely that the'vessels will be transferred ” from Australian to Canadian articles, displacing Australian crews. WRITS WITHDRAWN. SYDNEY, November 24. The Commonwealth Crown Solicitor lias filed a note of discontinuance in two actions, which have been commenced i„ the high court, against New South Wales by the Commonwealth and other States, to recover amounts in respect of which the State had defaulted overseas, and payment whereof was made by the Commonwealth. The amounts claimed in the writs were £557,519 and £220,875.