SHIPPING CRISIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2506, 14 November 1922, Page 2

SHIPPING CRISIS.

FERRY SERVICE RESUMED.

SCRATCH CREW MAN'S MARAS OA. f

Wellington, Uat Night

The Mararoa sailed a,| 4.20 p.m. for Lyttelton with 175 passengers. The vessel was manned by a ch crew, pomprising the company's men from their shore and offiefi staffs. The Mararoa leaves Lyttelton at 8 a.in. on Tuesday on her return trip to Wellington and continues in service. The Xikau leaves Nelson on Tuesday evening for Wellington and continues in service. WORK PROCEEDING AT NAPIER. The wntersiders this morning refused to discharge 200 boxes from Messrs Richardson’s Tangaroa, the crew of which had signed off. Members of the company’s office staff did the work. The unloading of the Kini and the loading" of the Ruahine continued without interruption. STRIKE UNPOPULAR AT LYTTELTON. Christchurch, Last Night. When told that the Mararoa had left Wellington with a volunteer crew, many of the seamen in Lyttelton were incredulous, :but on being assured that the Mararoa had act na lly sailed, they "were inclined to view the matter seriously. It is said the strike is getting less popular with the men as time goes on and a larger number are even now prepared to admit that they have acted unwisely. Others say they may go back at the end of the week and “have another go later.” The Wnhiue’s stewards, who were paid olf to-day, were very outspoken in their condemnation of the action of ihe seamen. “Most of us,” said one steward with a long service to his credit, "have been out of work practically all the winter. The laying up of the Wahine for the winter threw dozens out of .employment, and now, just as we get. started again, the silly beggars start this game. It. is almost a tragedy for some of us, I can tell you.” . SHIPOWNERS WILL REQUIRE GUARANTEES. Welington, Last Night. The New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation is meeting to-day. No joint action has yet been taken by the shipowners but it is expected the meeting will result in some definite course being decided on. The Government may lie asked to initiate legal proceedings to see lire AMe” observance of the award. It is probable that if the irritation strike theory is correct, the seamen, on offering for re-engagement, will be""* asked for a. guarantee that they remain at work, otherwise the ships will remain idle. The strike was discussed at a meetng of the Shipowners’ Federation held this afternoon and it was decided that, as the strike was out* against, society rather than against the employers and so calculated to destroy the legally constituted machinery for dealing with Labour disputes, the shipowners should take a firm stand and support the Arbitration Court award. 'lt was therefore decided immediately to advertise for men to man New Zealand ships in accordance with the award provisions and to mail the ships as labour becomes available. DLSS AIT SF ACTION WITH UNION. Wellington, Last Night. The Alliance of Labour is meeting to-day but no information has yet been disclosed except that it is stated that he strike will not be touched till the seamen put their case before ' it. There is a. roumour that a section of t lie waterside workers are dissatisfied with the administration of the present union and a movement is on foot to form a second union. Rumours have been current that the railwaymen might i>c inclined to sympathise in a practical manner with the seamen, but though the A.S.R.S. executive is now meeting in Wellington, nothing has been divulged as to its attitude. An official of the Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union, on being approached regarding the fact that the men were being paid off, characterised the employers’ action as a lock-out. The men themselves, however, accept unemployment as the inevitable result of the shipping stoppage.