Dispute Holds Up Bulolo

BURNS Philp’s 6,000 ton motor-vessel Bulolo, which should have sailed for Papua and New Guinea from Sydney on January 27, was held up by a dispute over the dismissal of two seamen. She did not sail until February 15.

The dispute began on January 9 when the vessel returned from Papua-New Guinea and the chief officer dismissed two seamen for “good and sufficient reasons.” Two Unions thereupon became involved —the Seamen’s Union and the Merchant Service Guild (ships’ officers).

The Company also refused to reinstate the men.

The ship had 150 passengers booked for the voyage who experienced all the usual inconveniences of finding accommodation in overcrowded Sydney. A full cargo was on board on January 27.

Food Shortage Reported

IT is reported that, as a result of the Bulolo hold-up, a serious food short age is developing in Papua and New Guinea.

The Minister for External Territories (Mr. Spender), has called for an investi gation and has stated that, if necessary, the Government will fly food in to the Territory.

Bulolo will carry three thousand tons of frozen meat, vegetables, potatoes and groceries. Malaita which left Sydney on February 11 does not usually call at Port Moresby, nor will she on this trip.

Port Moresby, for once, seems to be in a worse plight than outports,

Bulolo For Sale?

IT is rumoured in Sydney that Burns Philp are trying to sell Bulolo for £BOO,OOO, but that so far there have been no offers.

Bulolo is a 6,400 all-white motor vessel.

She was beautifully appointed and de scribed as a miniature Queen Mary when she was first put into commission on the Sydney-New Guinea run in 1938. She was taken over by the British Admiralty at the outbreak of war in 1939; was re converted, at the cost of £1,000,000, and came back to the New Guinea run in August, 1948.

Burns Philp & Co. lost £73,000 on their island shipping last financial year. This is due to (a) wages and running costs that have doubled or trebled since 1939; (b) the fact that ships now spend two weeks in port for one at sea—instead of one in port and two at sea as in pre-war days; (c) subsidies paid to Bums Philp for services to Papua-New Guinea, BSI, Norfolk Island and New Hebrides which ceased at the outbreak of the Pacific war, were never restored.

Some months ago BP threatened to omit calls to Norfolk Island and Lord Howe if subsidies were not paid by the Aus tralian Government.

We understand that the Government has not yet done anything about restor ing these subsidies, although the Morinda has continued to call at these islands every second trip. Presumably, the com pany has decided to give the new Aus tralian Government a chance to do something.

The Chifley Government ignored the just claims of shipowners, although in adequate shipping has done more to retard the rehabilitation of Pacific Territories than any other factor. Burns Philp, or any other shipowners, are under no moral obligation to run ships at a loss simnly for the convenience of residents of the Islands or of their Administrations.

It would be a shattering blow to the economy and convenience of any of the Pacific Territories if any of the overseas shipping services now operating were withdrawn or curtailed. And Papua-New

Guinea residents, at least, will have no faith in the alternative —Governmentowned ships. Government monopoly of inter-island shipping has brought com merce in the Territory almost to a stand still.