A SHIPPING DIFFICULTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7726, 20 February 1909, Page 1

A SHIPPING DIFFICULTY.

AUCKLAND, February 19. The difference m the wages paid to crews trading between intercolonial and foreign ports has led to the Union Company's steamer Waitemata, bound for Sydney and Capetown, being detained at Auckland for several hours. The wages paid to crews on foreignbound vessels vary from £2 to £4 per month less than the intercolonial rate. The crew of the Waitemata. assumed that, as the vessel was destined for Capetown, they would be paid at the iaroign-going rate from the commence-m.-iiit of the voyage. They placed their views before the local office of the company, which thereupon got into communication with the head office at 1 Dunedin. A reply was received to the effect that the men's fears were groundless. The' New Zealand rates would be paid to Australia, with a reduction of £1 per month for the balance of the voyage. This latter amount is m excess of the foreign rates. The firemen, instead of receiving £4 10s a month, will be given £8, and the A.B.s will be entitled to £6 instead of £4 a month, the foreign rate. The men expressed themselves satisfied with these terms, and • went back to their ship.