WELLINGTON WATERSIDERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2848, 19 February 1925, Page 3

WELLINGTON WATERSIDERS.

REFUSE TO WORK STEAMER

SHIPOWNERS TAKE A FIRM STAND. LIKELIHOOD OF SHIPPING HOLD-UP. Wellington, Last Night. A critical position has arisen on the Wellington waterfront in consequence of the watersiders’ refusal to work the Rojorua which arrived from Lyttelton this morning. Much dissatisfaction has been expressed concerning the new award under which wages increased by a half-penny an hour. The position became acute to-day when a call for labour for the Rotorua was ignored. The shipowners considered the position and refused to accede to the watersiders’ demand for sixpence an hour additional (o the present rate and issued an edict that until the Rotorua was worked there would be no further calls for labour.

This means- that all vessels reaching port will he held up. Vessels in port other than the liotorua are working as usual, hut when these operations are completed, the whole port will then be idle. Mr G. W. Bennett, secretary of the Waterside Employers’ Association has issued a statement confirming the pronouncement made by the shipowners. So far no official statement has been made by the Waterside Union regarding the dispute, hut it is generally believed .that the men will take action as a counter move. Strike talk is prevalent here, but there -was no demonstration when the employers issued the ultimatum which was an unexpected move and came as a big surprise. MOERAKI TIED UP AT DUNEDIN. Dunedin, Last Night. The Moeraki was an idle ship today. Two calls for labour to work the vessel were made —one at 7.45 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m.. but no response was elicited in either case. Work on the other vessels in port is proceeding.

The Moeraki’s free labour crew was paid off and proceeded to Wellington this morning to catch the Maraina.