SHIPS IDLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 March 1921, Page 5

SHIPS IDLE.

CONFERENCE BEING HELD. THE.CONGESTION INCREASES. CREWS PAID OFF. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, March 5. No finality was reached at the second conference, held to-day, jbetween the employers, the waterside workers, and representatives of the Waterside Federation. The conference did not actually break down, but will be resumed on Monday. The Federation has consulted the affiliated unions regarding the employers’ demand for an assurance that work will in future be free from harassing delays. Opinions are divided as to whether a settlement is likely. Both sides decline to make any statement for the Press. In accordance with their decision, the shipping companies to-day, paid off the crews of eight small vessels which have been held up here. To-day there are 46 vessels, including some big liners. MQRE VESSELS ARRIVE. ADMIRAL CODRINGTON WORKING. 1 SYDNEY BOATS DUE TO-DAY. Wellington, Last Night. Another addition to the already large fleet of vessels at anchor in the stream due to the waterside trouble was the five thousand ton tramp steamer Fredenhaum, with a full cargo of American coal from Hampton Roads for the Government. Two of the Union Co.’s vessels, the Moana and the Moeraki, from Sydney, are due to-morrow. The liner Ruapehu arrived here on Saturday and berthed to disembark North Island passengers, and as all the vessel’s cargo is for the South Island she left here today for Lyttelton.

The Admiral Codrington is the only vessel being worked, and is having her timber steadily discharged and the men are working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday the contracting stevedore asked the watersiders if they were agreeable to work on Saturday afternoon (an uncommon procedure) and all hands expressed willingness to do so. The watersiders are said to be working splendidly, and will continue working until the stevedore orders them to cease. Their conduct is said to be exemplary. The position is a puzzling one. THE POSITION AT LYTTELTON. Christchurch, March 5. At the meeting of the Watersiders’ Disputes Committee at Lyttelton this morning it was dedided that work should go on continuously, including overtime, till Thursday, when the committee will again meet.