NO NEARER END.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1922, Page 5

NO NEARER END.

SEAMEN NOT RETURNING. EXECUTIVE MEETING ADJOURNS. RESUMPTION AFTER ELECTIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. To-night brought a flight ohauge in connection with the seamen’s dispute, but the position still is that the Shipowners’ Federation is awaiting a definite mdve by the Seamen’s Federation. Various boats are still running under free labor, and that will be the position until some step is taken by the men’s representatives. However, it is now almost certain that the trouble will not be settled before the election. The shipowners appear to be quite satisfied with the way the crews are working, but inquiries among idle union seamen show that the latter are inclined to treat the free laborers with some measure of contempt. “The novelty is wearing off,” said one union seaman to a reporter, “and the raw hands are getting pretty fed up with the job. It takes many more of them to do the work, and the shipowners must be thinking hard about the extra cost.”

Mr. W. T. Young, secretary of the Seamen’s Federation, remains reticent regarding the general situation, and had little to say when spoken to. It is well known that the shipowners have laid it down that they will not accept union labor unlessi and until a guarantee is given by the Seamen’s Federation that the award wil! be adhered to in future. On the other hand the Seamen’s Federation states that no communication with regard to guarantees has been received from the Shipowners’ Federation, and that it is not the former’s way of doing business by taking cognisance of newspaper reports.

Some interesting light is thrown upon this phase of the dispute by correspondence that has passed between the two federations in this connection. Late this afternoon Mr. Bishop (secretary of the Shipowners’ Federation), received the following communication from Mr. Young: “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of that date. I am instructed by the national council to advise you that the suggestion that a meeting of representatives of the shipowners and this federation be held to discuss any matter appertaining to the position existing will be considered on the council reassembling next week, and a renly will be transmitted at the earliest.”

It. was learned late this afternoon that the meeting of the Dominion executive of the Seamen’s Federation had concluded, and that the delegates had departed for their homes. It is general! v considered that this means that there will l>e no settlement before the elections, at any rate. a<- it is not liker> that the executive will reassemble before the end of next week. The delegates will discuss the question witn their members in the various districts, so that they will be thoroughly eauinred on their return to Wellington. ‘’This stop has been made neceasarv,” stated Mr. Young, “owing *o the impression created bv the Press that the men were backing down.” TO CONTINUE IDLE. DECISION OF AUCKLAND MEN. STRIKERS’ RANKS INCREASED. Auckland, Last Night. A meeting of seamen was held to-day and the nature of the proceedings was not divulged by officials, but it is understood the men decided to aLow matters to continue as at present and decline to work with non-union innor. As a result of this decision, seventeen members of the crew of the Waiotapu gave notice, but their places were promptly filled by volunteers, enabling the vessel to sail for Wellington to-mor-row afternoon. The men who gave notice reside here. It is thought the remainder, who are southern men, may leave at Wellington. ' TRIMMERS LEAVE VESSEL. Christchurch, Last Nigh*. Three trimmers on the steamer Waihemo. whieh is on Australian articles, signed off yesterday, but their departure will not affect the" ship, as it has been decided to cut out one boiler. She will probably get away to-morrow. POSITION IN AUSTRALIA. CREW FOR THE MAKURA. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Received Dec. 1. 12.441 a.m. Sydney, Nov. 30. The Union Company’s office was heseiged in response to an appeal for a crew for the Makura, and early this morning all vacanciea for seamen and firemen were filled. The vessel is expected to sail on Friday.