TROUBLE WITH SEAMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 296, 14 December 1922, Page 10

TROUBLE WITH SEAMEN.

TEE RECENT STRIKE. ALLEGED BREACH OF AN AWARD. The hearing of the charges against fifty-one seamen of taking part in an unlawful strike was continued yesterday afternoon before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court. Mr. V. R. Meredith appeared for the Inspector of Awards and Mr Holmden for the seamen. In connection with the Kaiwarra, six men were prosecuted but in two of the cases it was stated that tlie seamen had been given notice prior to the crew handing in their notice and the charge in each instance was withdrawn. Captain Wyborn, master of the vessel, stated that the crew, with the exception of two, gave notice on November 6, but no reason was offered. These two were signed on in Australia and under their contract they had to be paid wages and provided with sustenance until they returned there. Regarding the Northern Company's Aupouri, seven seamen were charged. Captain Donovan said that on arrival at Onehunga on November 4 the crew handed in their notice. They were paid off on November 6. The men gave no reason for their action. Captain Keatly, of the Rimu, said that his vessel was engaged in the Onehunga-. New Plymouth run, and on leaving the latter port on October 31 one man went along to him and said that he wanted to give notice on behalf of the whole of the sailors and ivrenien, as they did not want to work under the new award. Witness told him he could not accept it unless each man gave notice individually. The man *aid they were not going to give notice. On arrival at Onei hunga, after the ship was made fast, J they knocked off- He called them together and asked them whether they were going to give notice and they replied that they were not but they would work under the old award. Altogether there were six prosecutions in. connection with this steamer. At this stage tbe hearing was adjourned till 10.15 a.m. to-day.