SHIPPING CRISIS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10288, 24 May 1919, Page 7

SHIPPING CRISIS

LACK OF LABOUR UNITY

WATERSIDERS IN OPPOSITION.

By Telegraph—Pree?. Association—Copyright

SYDNEY, May 23

' The assistant-secretary of the Seamen's Union has resigned'as. a 'protest against the men striking without'..a ballot.

The Returned Soldiers* "Wharf "Workers' "Union has decided riot to take part in tho strike, .as ft' believes.'in the' settlement oi : disputes' by arbitration. -' The Permanent Wa&rsj4e... Labourers' Union has decided,to..send..a cable message to'Mr Havolock Wilson ..askfng, aim to use his endeavours, to prevent oversea shipping Seine; stopped or curtailod, as it is realised that if it is stopped the Cost of-living will soar sky-high. . Already the effects'of "the' snipping trouble are beginning to be felt. " The hold-up of coastal shipping has greatly reduced supplies of fish, outtei, egg 3, and other food supplies, while thousands of tons of goods for other States are awaiting delivery. The Riverina' is amongst" "steamers from which the crews i have withdrawn. UNIOfc SPLIT OVER STRIKE UNLIKELY. "'" . ".' ".'.' : ' (Received May 23, 8.40 p.m.) SYDNEY; May" 23. The anticipation in of, a possible union split f over the' shipping Crisis is not Owners .have been notified that "the" men are determined, to stand solid. The? crews of tho North Coast Corn-- 1 pany's boats signed off'td-day. *■»'•■ i'-ci-- ' The Government is determined to proceed with the secret 'ballot,' despito the refusal of union scrutineers to act. Vessels idle include the Atua and Waihora. COAL AND -CARGO TO BE .. Y unloaded:: y; \ / ■ ." ' ' MELBOURNE, May-23 - ." ' Tho seamen have decided that donkeymen shall return to work, to enable the. wharf labourers, to- continue unloading cargo and coal.) ,-:/*•■ 11 ■ < • OVERSEAS TRAFFIC MAY BE. • INVOLVED.. : (Received May 23, 8.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE, May 23. Ao»e,w position has arisen in the mariame dispute. It is now stated that even if the seamen's trouble is' settled at Monday's conference; the shipping will still be kept idle unless the wharf labourers' claims, are satisfied. '-_ Seamen on linefs'afe expected to give notice' upon arrival, and the strike thus threatens to involve oversea traffic. ATTEMPT TO RELIEVE QUEENSLAND SITUATION. - s BRISBANE, May 23. . The Acting-Premier is in communication with Mr W. A. Watt, askingpermission for the Queensland Government to charter oargO'-^esscls,"for-4hc purpose of relieving the situation brought about by tho strike. ■ ■-.-■- "'" "Dlsf' MELBOURNE WHARVES." "LOYALISTS" DRIVEN OFF BY "TERRORISTS." MELBOURNE, May 23. The "terrorist party" amqng the wharf labourers .have succeeded in driving all from the wharves. They have also« assaulted several~of them itt the streets. ? i! Tlie ,; strikers have informed the shipowners that as the "loyalists," they are.naw,, ) preparedi l .to,, continue loading ami. ; unjpading if,, all the privileges lost as the 1917 strike are restored/ The., owner» r have decided to BuspenoT'aU,work until, after a compulsory 'conference,,, ,if tihe strike is not settled, work will be resumed by the "loyalists/' under police protection. >;* *• .;•■•■> ■'•-*■•■'*'■''■ v r