COASTAL SHIPPING MENACED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1053, 7 October 1911, Page 2

COASTAL SHIPPING MENACED.

BOATS TO STOP RUNNING.

MATES REFUSE TO ACCEPT ARBITRATION AWARD.

The difficulty occasioned by the refusal of the mates of the smaller coastal steamers to continue in employment under the new Arbitration Court award, which came into iorce on October ist, has reached an acute stage. A conference was held at Wellington on Thursday between three representatives of the Shipowners' Federation, two shipmasters, two mates, and the secretary of the Merchant Service Guild, representing the men. The owners favoured press representatives being admitted to the conference, but the men objected. The owners made certain proposals which were subsequently submitted to the Merchant Service Guild. The men declined the proposals, and the owners were notified to that effect.

The Shipowners’ Federation are considering what steps shall be taken. Meanwhile, all the smaller coastal steamers, excepting those of less than 100 tons register, may be compelled to pay off their crews owing to the inability of obtaining mates.

The Waverley, Kennedy and Alexander were paid off at Nelson on Thursday. The Waimea, Kaitoa and Nikau will lay up at Nelson. The Queen of the South will lay up in Wellington until a settlement is arrived at.

Christchurch, Oct. 5,

The two mates of the steamer Storm, which arrived at Lyttelton early this morning, having given twenty-four hours' notice of the termination of their agreement, were paid off to-day. Efforts are being made this afternoon to obtain the services of two other mates, in order that the vessel may sail for Dunedin.

It is understood that, on the arrival of the steamer Holmdale irom Greymouth to-morrow the mates will be paid off, their twenty-four hours’ notice having expired.

Nelson, Oct. 5

By to-morrow the whole of the Anchor Company’s fleet will be laid up here pending settlement of the coastal officers’ dispute.