FREE LABOR FOR SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1922, Page 5

FREE LABOR FOR SHIPS.

CALL MADE IN AUSTRALIA. GOOD RESPONSE EXPECTED. UNION THREATENS TROUBLE By Telegraph.—Press Asan.—Copyright. Received Dec. 4, 11.15 p.m. Sydney, Dee. 4. The Union Company has decided to appeal for volunteer labor on Wednesday to man its idle steamers under New Zealand pay and conditions. It is gene/ally expected in shipping circles that sufficient labor will be forthcoming to recommission all the ships. The company has also directed the attention of the Arbitration Court to the dispute, claiming the action of the seamen in striking constituted a breach of the award.

A meeting of seamen decided that members of the Union should endeavor to get on board the vessels when volunteer labor is asked for and “white ant” the crews and create trouble.

The company is besieged with volunteer labor to man the Moeraki and there is no doubt the vessel will sail.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Association.

SAILING OF MAKURA. MANNED BY STRANDED ENGLISHMEN. « Sydney, Dec. 4. In connection with the sailing of the Makura, which is stated to be largely manned by stranded British seamen, local seamen express much disgust and anger. The trouble is the outcome of the' rupture between the English and Australian 'seamen’s organisatione, arising from the refusal of the latter to allow the crews which manned the Commonwealth liners from England to become members of the Australian organisation and work the ships back to England. Local shipowners claim that the rush of men to man the Makura has disclosed the fact that ample free labor is available to place all the idle vessels in commission. The probability is that, unless the seamen’s union displays a reasonable attitude, an extension of free labor manning will shortly be inaugurated. Much distress exists among waterfront employees of various classes, and they are alleged to be simmering with discontent over the way the position has been allowed to develop. There are rumors of the likelihood of a breakaway from union control. It has been explained that the English seamen stranded in Sydney, through the Seamen’s Union barring their admission, were on the verge of being repatriated at the expense of the Commonwealth. The condition of the repatriation of distressed seamen is that there must be no work offering in the port where they are stranded. It is contended that when Uie Union Company incited volunteers- to join the Makura the English seamen had no alternative but to accept, irrespective of what their inclination was. AUCKLAND SEAMEN. PRESENT POLICY MAINTAINED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Dec. 4. A meeting of the local branch of the Seamen’s Union was held to-day. There is no official informelion, but it is understood it was decided to continue the present policy of refusing to sign up with free labor.

A LOCK-OUT CLAIMED. ATTITUDE OF COOKS’ UNION. "Wellington, Dec. 4. In view of the prosecution of seamen for alleged striking, the secretary of the Federated Cooks’ and Stewards’ Union has written to the Labor Department asking whether the department will investigate the fact that notice was given to members of the union, with a view to taking, proceedings against the Union Company for an alleged lock-out.

There is no change in the position otherwise.