SHIPS IDLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1921, Page 5

SHIPS IDLE.

MORE AT WELLINGTON. & FARMERS’ BOAT WORKED. K IS IT A BREACH OF AGREEMENT? By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. There are now nearly a score of veseels anchored in the harbor. An interesting phase of the waterfront dispute occurred to-day, caused by the arrival of the Admiral Codrington, owned by the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Meat Company, with a cargo of hardwood, principally for the Government. < As the vessel is not controlled by the big shipping interests with whom the watersiders have the disagreement, and evidently by prior arrangement, the watersiders proceeded to unload the vessel, using the ship’s own deck gear, the Harbor Board cranes not being available until to-morrow. Employment was given some 70 men, and it is understood they have agreed to work overtime until discharge is completed. It is expected fur-, ther gangs will be employed to-morrow, bringing the total to 100. The labor was not engaged through the usual channel and the opinion is expressed in some quarters that the watersiders have committed a breach of the agreement in accepting employment under the circumstances. The ship has 1600 tons of coal on board, but nothing has been made known yet as to its discharge. The Wellingiton Gas Company has secured sufficient coal supplies to last until about the middle of next week, and leading bakers’ needs have also been relieved by the receipt of supplies of flour. The Waterside Workers* Federation has not yet replied to the employers, and there is no indication as to when a reply will be available. CHANGE AT LYTTELTON. MEN REFUSE OVERTIME. Christchurch, Last Night. After working overtime for a fortnight after the other main ports had ceased the Lyttelton watersiders declined to work overtime to-night on any vessel. The employers’ representatives and the secretary of the union visited every ship in the harbor requiring overtime., and interviewed the men regarding their refusal to work, but the men adhered to their original decision. The Local Disputes Committee discussed the matter and then adjourned till noon to-morrow, when there is a prospect of a settlement. UNEMPLOYMENT IN AUCKLAND. NEW PHASE OF DISPUTE. Auckland, March 3. As indicating the extent of unemployment in the city, the Government Labour Employment Bureau is besieged by men seeking work. Many have been placed in positions, but most of those applying were unskilled, and some difficulty is experienced in finding employment for this class. An official of the department stated that the demand for skilled workmen is in excess of the supply. Auckland, Last Night. The latest development in connection with the waterside dispute is that efforts are being made to unload the Cane Premier, which arrived on Wednesday from Durban with 5700 tons* of coal for the Railway Department. The vessel berthed this morning, and the captain, instructed by the owners, endeavored to arrange for the discharge of the cargo. He had no difficulty in securing labor on the waterfront, but was unable to obtain the buckets and shovels necessary for unloading. He approached the local shipping and stevedores association, but it could not see its way to place equipment at his disposal. At present there seems little prospect of the Cape Premier being discharged thia week. CRUX OF THE MATTER. Clause 44 of the Industrial Agreement, which is in force until 31st December 1921, reads thus: — “The Federation and the respective unions undertake that no restrictions relating to overtime work shall be permitted to be made during the currency of this Agreement.” This was signed by Lewis Glover (president), and James Roberts (secretary). The Employers have decided that, as soon as a satisfactory guarantee is given that the above undertaking shall be carried out, and the work be proceeded with in the normal way in accordance with the terms, of the existing agreement, the men may resume work.