SEAMEN’S STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2532, 20 January 1923, Page 2

SEAMEN’S STRIKE.

END NOW IN SIGHT. Wellington, Yesterday. Important developments have occurred in connection with the shipping dispute. There is every indication that work on the vessels will be resumed by the Union next Tuesday. It is understood that no advice has been received by the union in regard to the shipping suspension of seetion 57 of the Shipping and Seamen’s Act, and difficulty may be occasioned if the suspensions are continued. A recent deputation from the federated Seamen’s Union and the Alliance of Labour urged that suspension should be removed. To-day .Messrs W. R. Aiken and W. A. Kennedy, representatives of the Shipowners’ Federation, waited upon Mr Massey in regard to the dispute, and Mr B. L. Hammond, acting-se-cretary for the Federation, made the following statement. The Prime Minister had informed representatives of the Shipowners’ Federation that the executive of the Seamen’s Union had intimated to him its willingness that members should resume work on Tuesday next. To prevent the suggestion that the shipowner.-. are delaying a settlement and to avoid any misunderstanding ii: (he event of the men offering liicmselves for re-engagement, the Federation communicated with the Seamen’s Union asking if members were prepared to work under the conditions of the Arbitration Court award, and with the men now employ;! on the ships. The Union had been informed that as soon as assurance was given that the men will observe the award and work with the ni(Mi on the ships, the shipowners will engage union labour. Mr W. T. Young, secretary of the Seamen’s Union, declined to make a statement.

Tl is interesting !o note that the .strike commenced at Auckland on November 1, and on November 10 all crews gave notice.

WATERSIDERS’ CONFERENCE.

TO SEEK REPRESENTATION ON HARBOUR BOARD. Auckland, Thursday. The Watersiders Federation Conference concluded to-day. It was decided to endeavour to obtain representation on the Harbour Boards. The Prime Minister, when approached by a “Times” representative as to his views in regard to the proposal that lie should preside over a conference between the parties to the shipping dispute and try to bring them to an agreement replied that lie had nothing whatever to say on the matter at the present stage.