DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 174, 26 July 1887, Page 5

DEPUTATIONS TO THE PREMIER.

Seamen's Grievances

A deputation from the Seamen's Union consisting of Messrs £■ Hannigan (Presi dent), and E. Ellison (Secretary), waited upon the Premier this afteruoon to repre. sent to him various grievances of which the New Zealand seamen complained. The Hon. J. A. Tole introduced the deputation. _ Mr Hannigan first of all drew the attention of_ the Premier to the importance of allowing foreign-owned vessels to engage in local trade, and for the purpose of preventing this ho suggested the imposition of a tonnage tax on foreign vessels. The Premier thought; there was some restriction of the sort in force.

Mr Hannigan assured him there was not.

The Premier was not aware of any foreign vessels being engaged in the local trade. There was, it was true, a German vessel in the south, but it was chartered by N.Z. merchants.

Mr Hannigan rejoined that the object was rather to prevent the possibility of that sort of thing. The Premier remarked that in that case there was no use in jumping before we came to the fence.

Mr Hannigan asked the Premier direct if he would favour the suggested tonnage tax. The Premier said he could only promise that the Government would carefully consider the suggestions. Mr Hannigan then drew attention to the employment of Kanaka crews in local shipping. The Premier replied that it was of enormous importance to keep this colony for whito labour, and he thought our shipping should not be manned by coloured labour. Mr Tole understood that there was only one vessel manned by Kanakas, and she was engaged for special purposes. Mr Ellison asserted that for these purposes whito labour would be more advantageous. The vessel referred too was the Richmond.

Mr Hannigan then urged the desirability of passing a Seamen's Representation Bill so as to give them a member.

Tho Premier expressed himself favourably inclined to such a measure.

Mr Hanmgan then handed tho Premier tho following document, and requested his favourable consideration of it. To the Hon. Sir R. Stout, K.C.M.G., etc., otc.—Wo have the honor to call your attention^ to the following questions which, in our opinion, require consideration at the hands of the Legislature.

Protection to Coasting Trades

At the present time it is the custom of foreign-owned vessels to carry cargo from port to port in New Zealand at rates which quito proclude the possibility of successful competion by locally-owned vessels. This is so for the reason that their vessel generally arrive from foreign countries with cargoes for two ports. The practice is to discharge their cargo for the first port and fill up again with local cai'go for the second. As the vessel must complete her voyage she can manifestly afford to carry cargo at a rate much lower than could be possibly quoted by a vessel making a special trip. She has presumedly secured sufficient enumeration for the whole voyage under the original charter, anything additional is practically a premium. It is contemplated to run more than one additional line of steamers to Australasia. The evil we complain of is therefore likely to become much more poignant within an appreciable date. American and German-owned vessels are the principal sinners, and we may point out that, by tho laws of both these countries, no foreign vessels can carry freight between any two of their ports without paying additional duos of such a magnitude as to be prohibitory.

Employment of lianalta Crews?

The Richmond s.s. is an undersized boat, and ia manned by a Kanaka crew. This, to us, appears to be an injustice to the seaman belonging to New Zealand, who contributed to tho revenue of the colony, inoro particulary as largo numbers are ashore and unablo to procure employment at sea. It has been thought necessary to protect shoro labour against Chinese competition, and as the Richmond is sub' sidised by the Government, to allow her to carry a coloured crew is contrary to the tho principles sanctioned by Parliament. We quite recognise the fact that in the present state of the land ib is impossible to prevent New Zealand owned vessels carrying any crews their owners please, so long as they are deemed sufficient in number and. capacity to navigate the vessels with safety, but we are clearlygof opinion that no such vessels should be run even partially at the expense of the colony.

Seamen's Representation. It will be within your momory that a Bill to givo one member of the House of Representatives of those employed on New Zealand owned vessels was thrown out by a narrow majority. Wo have the honour to represent to you that the passing of such a bill would only be a common act of justice to a class of men who do so much to contribute to the prosperity of a country. At the present timo capital invested in shipping is more than amply represented, In our opinion, therefore, it is not asking too much that those who face the dangers and toil of prosecuting the shipping trade should have a representative. The presence of a member in the House well informed on all matters connected with shipping could not fail to be of benefit to thecolony. Therearomaiiyamendments • required to the present Shipping yet, and we feel that unless a member well nformed on shipping matters and capable of explaining the reason for their being made, that they will not take place.—C. Hannican, President; E. Ellison, Secretary; Seamens' Union.

The Premier promised his earnest attention to the views set forth in the document, and the deputation then withdrew.

Protection of Local Industries. A deputation consisting of Messrs Geo. Fraser, A. Bell, Chas. Atkin, W. Lodder, Wilson, and other members of the Industrial Association waited upon the Premier at noon to-day and represented to him the desirability of further protecting local industries. They trusted that the Government would take up the subject and give ib their earnest support. The Premier, in reply, said that ( the Government had always had this matter at heart, and had brought in tariffs fdr the purpose. If they had not altogether succeeded it was solely because they had not received sufficient support from the House. The matter was in the people's own hands, and if they wished to have local industries protection they should strengthen the hands of the Government by returning members pledged to support them. A conversational discussion ensued; and the deputation in withdrawing thanked the Premier for his courtesy.