SEAMEN'S CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 159, 5 July 1917, Page 6

SEAMEN'S CLAIM.

DECK WORK HOURS.

Proceedings to recover £10 for a breach of the agreement existing between the seamen and the shipping owneis of New Zealand was brought against the Northern Steamship Company by the Federated Seamen's Union in the Magistrate's Court this morning. The charge was " that prior to leaving Auckland on an excursion on Eastern Monday of the present year, George McCowatt and others, the deck hands of the defendant's steamer Waiotahi were required to wash down decks from 7 to S a.m., for which the defendant has declined to pay the said deck hands schedule overtime rates." Mr. W. T. Young represented the Union, and Dr. Bamford (instructed by A'essrs. Hesketh and Richmond) the Northern Steamship Company. It was admitted by Mr. Young that under the industrial agreement, when a vessel was in port o na holiday the men could be required to wash the decks without extra pay, but he contended that if an excursion followed, then, under tbe special clause relatino- to excursions they were not only entitled to be p_id for the excursion itself but also for work of washing between 7 and 8 a.m. After hearing argument, his Worship ("Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M.), reserved his decision.