STEAMERS HELD UP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 28 January 1913, Page 7

STEAMERS HELD UP

WHILE WATEESIDERS ATTEND FUNERAL.

PROTEST AGAINST NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS.

Press Association

AUCKLAND, January 27.

The managers of the principal shipping companies received _ notification from the .Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union this morning that no work would bo done on the wharves to-morrow between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on account of the funeral of Charles Clyne, a member of the union who died at the district hospital yesterday as a result of injuries received through .being struck by a bale of kapok in the hold of the steamer Waihora on Thursday. It is realised that the mdn immediately concerned in the accident would naturally like to attend the funeral, but the shipping companies are at a loss to understand why 300 odd members of the union, the majority of whom are working on vessels in no way connected with the Waihora, should have decided to cease work. In speaking on the matter the local manager said that the action of the Waterside . Workers’ Union was in distinct contravention of the articles of agreement under which they were wording, Notification had certainly been received from the union officials in May last stating that in the. event of a waterside worker being killed on .a vessel, or dying as a result of injuries received, the members would cease work as a mark of respect for their comrade. When approached in regard to the nosition taken ud by the union, Mr A. E. Canbam. president of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union, said it Led been decided to take a day off to-mor-row out ox respect for Clyne, and as an indication to the shipping companies that members of the union wore of opinion that a great number of the accidents on steamers are preventable. In nineteen days recently, he said, there were eighteen accidents. r T venture to predict,” said Mr Canhara, "that if we find it necessary to cease work in this way at all frequently. before long the number of fatal accidents will be reduced to about one per annum.” The Union Company is the principal one affected. The Tofua will be delayed in getting away for the islands, and the Wsimna will also .lie held up. Subsequently a mooting of the union executive was held and the companies notified that work would only cease in tlie morning, when the funeral takes place, and that the men would resume at 1 p.m.