IDLE SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1922, Page 5

IDLE SHIPS.

THE DEADLOCK CONTINUES. POSITION AT LYTTELTON. ANOTHER STEAMER HELD UP. By Telegraph.---Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The Union Company’s steamer Katoa is the latest vessel to be affected by trouble with her stokehold crew, and her sailing for Dunedin has been postponed indefinitely. One man signed off to-day and the company was unable to fill his place, and consequently the crew refused to go to sea. The Karori paid off her crew to-day and will be laid up at Lyttelton. Four men left the Mararoa this morning, but she was later despatched for Wellington, one boiler being cut out. STRIKE ON WAITOMO. Auckland, November 3. The crew of the Union. Company’s steamer Waitomo gave notice to-day of their intention to cease work. The Waitomo recently arrived from Ocean Island with phosphates, which have been landed. DUNEDIN NOT AFFECTED. Dunedin, November 3. None of the steamers in port are affected by the northern trouble. The Wanaka and Kauri signed on new crews early in the week without a hitch, It is understood that a recent meeting of seamen from the ships in port and those ashore who were out of work decided by a large majority to accept the new award wages. It is stated also that the men were advised by an official of the local branch of the Seamen’s Union not to participate in any strike at present. A prominent shipping official states that a large number of seamen and stokehold hands are ashore and out of work. “We signed on two full crews for recently recommissioned ships this week and, judging by the men offering, we could secure crews for two or three more.”