NON-UNION BREMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1923, Page 9

NON-UNION BREMEN.

TROUBLE OH THE PIAKOL SEAMEN'S UNION PROTEST*. APPEAL TO MINISTER*. (By Telesraplj.—Preas Association.) WELLINGTON", this day. The New Zealand Seamen's Union has been advised by the Australian ITniOn that owing to a dispute -which occurred at Newcastle the New Zealand Shipping Co.'s steamer Piako engaged a free labour stokehold crew, and their chip was duo here to-day. The dispute aroee out of a demand by the original crew shipped in England, who demanded Australian rates of pay, because the vessel waa bringing coal to New Zealand. Therefore they contended that the company was engaging in the intercolonial trade. The owners refused to pay the additional rates, and the objectors refused to take the ship to sea. They were brought before the Court and sentenced to imprisonment. Australian and New Zealand union* object to this allegedly unfair competition by vessele paying lese than Australian and New Zealand rates of wages. Tlie Piako's case has been referred to the Minister of Marine, and a. deputation will ccc him on bis return, to Wellington. '. The Alliance of Labour considered the matter, and decided to ask the Minister to extend the provisions of section 75 of the Shipping and Seamen's Act, 1908, to provide that a vessel carrying cargo or passengers between New Zealand and Australia shall pay the crew not less than the New Zealand rate of wages while so employed.