WHARF CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1921, Page 5

WHARF CRISIS.

WELLINGTON STOPPAGE. SEVEN VESSELS HELD UP. 400 WATERSIDERS IDLE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. 7 Wellington, Feb. 19. The waterside employers’ decision not to engage fresh labor is now operating. So far seven vessels are completely held up, including the Ruahine, whose departure for London has been postponed indefinitely, the Koranui wiith a full load of coal from Australia, and the Northumberland, Invercargill, Opawa and Blenheim. The number of idle boats will probably be doubled by mid-day on Monday. Already 400 watersiders are idle and under ordinary circumstances these would be readily absorbed.

POSITION AT DUNEDIN. THREAT OF LOOK-OUT TO-DAY. ' Dunedin, Feb. 19. The watersiders worked on all vessels this m’orning at normal pace. When a call was made for labor to work the ships this afternoon the employers were informed that the men had no intention of working after noon. It is stated that the employers have decided not to engage any fresh labor to work ships arriving from to-day onwards until the union guarantees to work overtime and fulfil other requirements. The Kaiapoi, with a full cargo from Melbourne, and the Te Anau, from Auckland, arrived this morning. No labor was engaged and both vessels are idle. TRUCK SHORTAGE AT LYTTELTON. Christchurch, Feb. 19. Overtime was worked on all vessels at Lyttelton last evening, and work was resumed this morning, but owing to the shortage of trucks work on several vessels ceased at noon, AT NEW PLYMOUTH. NO CHANGE IN THE POSITION. There were no developments at New Plymouth during the week-end as far as the waterfront position is concerned. The discharging of the La Merced and Flora proceeding as usual on Saturday morning, and the Flor.a sailed for Wellington early in the afternoon. No arrivals are scheduled for to-day, and the only vessel in port to be worked will be the La Merced, for which no overtime is being called. FAR-REACHING PROPOSAL. GENERAL TRANSPORT STOPPAGE. Received Feb. 20, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, Feb. 20. The All-Australia Union Conference is discussing a suggestion that the whole of the transport unions on land and sea should make common cause and stop transport operations.—Aus. and , N.Z. Cable Assn.