SHIPPING AND LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 317, 31 May 1913, Page 5

SHIPPING AND LABOR.

THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE. DENIED BY THE SHIPPING COMPANY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At a meeting of the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce today, to consider the reported proposal of the shipping companies to come to an understanding with the Federation of Labor, Mr. A. E. Mabin, president of the Chamber, said that he had authority to say that the direct lines (Shaw, Saviil and Albion, New Zealand Shipping Company, and the others) had no intention of entering into any compact with the Federation of Labour that would in any way debar their (the direct lines) use of free labor if occasion demanded. Although they were prepared to attend a conference of shipping companies to discuss labor matters, they were not prepared to even consider such a compact with a labor organisation as had been suggested in the Press, as the idea was repellant to them. There had apparently been an attempt by some party or parties to endeavour to make terms with ihe Federation of Labor. Owing to the resentment shown by the public to such an arrangement, the danger might be considered as passed. Yet the Chamber should express in unmistakable terms its opinion, as an intimation of the course which should be taken in future. After discussion, the council resolved: —-''That the Wellington Chamber of Commerce protests against any shipping company or employer'of labor entering into any compact which may' prevent free labor being employed if necessity arises, and considers that any such agreement will be prejudicial to the interests of the Dominion; and, further, considers that on the termination of the present agreements no new arrangements wiould be made with any body except under the Arbitration Act." Sir James Mills, interviewed with reference to the reported combination between shipping companies and the FedI eration of Labor, stated that nothing of the sort had ever been dreamt of, and that the agitation over it was merely A storm in a teapot." The suggestion that it was proposed to promote such a combination to the detriment of the public was an absolute and mischievous fiction. "The position is quite simple," lie said. "The officers of the Federation of Lajior approached the Union Company with a view to a meeting being arranged with leading shipping companies, to diftcuss the position at Timaru, and as a preliminary the companies were asked to meet to discuss the situation, and, if they thought it advisable, to meet representatives of the Federation later. It was clearly pointed out to the latter that no arrangements were possible other than that the position at Timaru should be accepted. It is the right of free labor at present employed to be respected the waterside workers to discharge and load cargoes irrespective of their having been handled by free labor, either on trucks or elsewhere, and above, all a substantial monetary guarantee should be given that any agreement made should be observed in future, and that unless • this was understood a meeting would be out of the question. The direct companies having decided not to meet representatives of the Federation, there is an end of the matter, though probably a meeting will still be arranged with representatives of these companies and the Union Company for the purpose of discussing further possible development*." The position of the Union Companv, sir Jaines pointed out, is somewhat diferent from th'al' 6f the direct conipanmor,f S J V S un <fcr an arrangement with the waterside workers a( practically all the ports in the Dominion. Si, wl ™ r rking under agreement with organisations-representing its masters and officers, its engineers, seamen and firemen, cooks and stewards, mechanics, and artizans, as well as t'm waterside worker., will, o7«£ ferences lire of frequent ocenrenee, for the purpose of adjusting differences and tiding over difficulties that arise' from £lV'° A'" 16 ' The cogence proposed this case was not regarded bv the Union Company as a serious mat-