SHIPPING CRISIS IN AUSTRALIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 19 March 1926, Page 9

SHIPPING CRISIS IN AUSTRALIA.

Vessels Declared Black. AMAZING ATTITUDE OF IRONWORKERS. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cnbio Association. MELBOURNE, March 18. The steamer Clan Macuuughton has been declared “black” by the Iron Trades Council. The secretary to tlie Council (Mr O’Hanlon) states that the action follows the previous decision that no temporary repairs are to be effected by workmen who are members of the Union to any vessel. The Council is opposed to Australian workmen patching up any vessel, so that ,it could be taken to Continental ports for repairs, because of the danger to the lives of seamen taking them abroad, and because Australian workmen are being deprived of work which could be done here. They require an assurance from the company that the full repairs, which are said to involve £SO,OOO, shall be made in Australia.

DISRUPTION IN UNIONS. STATEMENT BY NEW SECRETARY. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SYDNEY, March 18. The secretary of tlie new Coastal Seamen’s Union (Mr W. J. Carroll), himself a fireman, states that although ho had known how strong was the discontent and distrust caused by the tactics of the officials of the Seamen's Union, and the disgust felt at the internal wrangling and scheming, lie was not prepared to find such immediate support for the new organisation. It had now m sight 250 efficient, trustworthy men as members. He anticipated that another 200 would join at the rate of 100 weekly, enabling the books to be closed in a fortnight. He said the object is to prevent coastal seamen and firemen being dragged into future disputes, wherein they have no concern. The president of the new Union is Mr F. Hangar, a coastal fireman, with previous business experience.

REGISTRATION OF NEW UNION. SIH WELSH’S STATESIENT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. 51ELBOUIUJE, slarch 17. Referring to the proposal of the Federated Seamen’s Union’s application for re-registration, 51 r Walsh, explaining the reason for the change ol policy, said it was realised that Unionists had gained much and had improved wages and working conditions- by tho use of the Arbitration Court. He said the Seamen’s had not sought deregistration, but the ship owners and their friends had clamoured for it, with the result tiiat when application was made the Seamen’s Union did not feel justified in involving itself in prolonged and costly' legal action, and so had not opposed the action. Tho general secretary, Air Raeburn, said the statement that the credit balance was 3s (id was an error, as this figure appeared in the balance sheet only as cash in hand. Tho actual credit was ±147!). The total assets ot the Union amounted to £3114.