AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING TROUBLE.

. <►. ■. ■> A DEADLOCK. OVER COMPULSORY BALLOT. Received May 23, 12.45 am. Sydney, May 22. A deadlock has arisen over the compulsory ballot. A special meeting of the Seamen's Union considered the matter, and decided that as a strike existed in more than one State it was now a Federal matter, and the New (South Wales section could not therefore be compelled to take a ballot.

The scrutineers appointed by the Department of Industries to act for the seamen refused to act. The Karori and Atua have arrived from New Zealand. The crew of the former gave twenty-four hours' notice. The Kannafs crew also gave notice, expiring to-morrow, but it is hope'd to get away before the notice expires. The Manuka was due to have sailed this afternoon, but was delayed partly owing to the heavy rain and also to a •number of the crew giving notice. It is hoped to get her away early in .the morning, COMPULSORY BALLOT OF SEAMEN. NEW ZEALAND SHIPS UNAFFECTED. Received May 23, p.m. Sydney, May 23. Matters in connection with the shipping trouble are quiet- The chief development is that the State Government, at the request of coastal steamship woners, has ordered a compulsory ballot of members of the Seamen's Union, under powers conferred by the Arbitration Aet, to ascertain if the majority favor a strike. Representatives of shipowners and seamen received summonses to-day to atinr><: n />nmT>iiknrr ormferenne called bV

Representatives of shipowners and seamen received summonses to-day to aticrM !>, compulsory conference called by the Federal Arbitration Court, to be held 'r. Melbourne on Monday. As the coastal vessels reach the various home ports in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria their crews tetve. Many vessels are tied up. ft ia stated that so far as the Union Company's steamers are concerned it is only individual members of. the crews who have left the ships in Sydney, which is not the home port of all of them. It is also stated that it is not expected there will be any trouble regarding New Zealand steamers. ' MOKE CREWS GIVE NOTICE. Sydney, May 22. The crews of six vessels, including one oversea ship, have given twenty-four hours' notice of their intention to leave the vessels. The waterside workers have not yet discussed the position, but resent the action of the seamen in precipitating ti ouble.

The coastal steamship owners are requesting the Minister of Labor, under the Arbitration Act, to take a compulsory secret ballot among the seamen to aswrkin whether the majority favor a strike, as they believe the men will vote overwhelmingly against one.—Au».-N-Z. Cable Assn.