SHIPPING DISPUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1919, Page 5

SHIPPING DISPUTE.

SPLIT UNLIKELY.

GOVERNMENT PROCEEDING, WISH BALLOT. -■=*-^vi-' ! TT<xW-l ; W 23' 8 - 40 P*i-. ) _ Sydney, May u.. The anticipation in some quarters of ft possible union split over the shipping •crisis is not justfied. The owners notfied the men that they were determined to stand solid. The crews of the North Coast Company's boats signed off to-day. , The Government is determined to proceed with the secret ballot, despite the refusal of union scrutineers to act. The vessels idle include the Atua and Waihora. j A NEW POSITION. LABORERS IMPROVE THE SHINING HOUR, Melbourne, May 23. , t \ disposition has arisen in the maritime dispute. It is now stated that, even if the seamen's trouble is settled at Monday's conference, shipping will still be kept idle unless the wharf laborers' claims are satisfied. Seamen on the Commonwealth liners are expected to give notice upon arrival, and the strike thus threatens to involve oversea traffic. POSITION BECOMING ACUTE. SHORTAGE OF FOODSTUFFS. Sydney, May 23. The Returned Soldiers' Wharf' Laborers' Union has decided not to participate in the strike, as the members believe in the settlement of disputes by arbitration. The Permanent Waterside Laborers' Union has decided to cable Mr. Havelock Wilson asking him to use his utmost # endeavors to prevent oversea shipping being stopped or curtailed, as it is realised that if it is stopped the cost of living will soar skyward.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Already the effects of the shipping trouble are beginning to be felt. The hold-up of coastal shipping his greatly reduced suplies of fish, butter, egga, and other fowl, of which a thousand. tons from other States are awaiting delivery. The Hiverina is Rmongst the steamers Whose crews have been withdrawn. The assistant-secretary nf the Seamen's Union has resigned as a protest hgainst the men striking without a ballot.

Brisbane, May 23. The Acting Premier is in communication with Mr. Watt asking permission for the Queensland Government to charter cargo vessels for the purpose of relieving the situation brought about 'by the strike. LOYALISTS DRIVEN OFF WHARFS. Melbourne, May 23. The seamen decided that the donkeymen may return to work to enable the wharf laborers to continue unloading a cargo of coal. The terrorist party among the wluvrf laborers has succeeded in driving all the loyalists from the wharves, and has also assaulted several in the streets. The strikers informed the shipowners that, as the wharves were free from loyalists, they were now prepared to continue loading and unloading if all the privileges lost as the result of the 1917 strike were restored. The owners decided to suspend all work until after the compulsory conference, when, if the strike is not settled, work will be resumed by the loyalists under police protection.—Aus.-N.Z Cable Assn,