LOADED BY CREW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 262, 4 November 1932, Page 5

LOADED BY CREW.

PORT GISBORNE SAILS. MEAT PUT ABOARD DURING NIGHT. "OFFICERS" AS WHARF LABOURERS Although Auckland waterside workers refused to load a quantity of frozen meat into the Commonwealth and Dominion Line motor ship Post Gisborne at the Central wharf yesterday morning the cargo, which the watersiders declined to handle, was on board when the ship left Auckland for London, via the Panama Canal, early this afternoon. The meat was loaded on the vessel by the crew, all of whom are certificated officers, who worked throughout the night.

It was at 8 o'clock yesterday morning that the watc-siders refused to handle the meat, which had been brought to the ship's side in railway wagons, giving no reason for their action. It was understood, however, that the men refused to touch the meat, as the Wellington watersiders had declined to load frozen carcases killed by free labour when the vessel was at Wellington last week. No attempt was made to put the meat aboard the vessel yesterday morning or afternoon, although the loading of butter, cheese and other cargo continued without interruption.

At 9 o'clock last evening, an hour after the watersiders had knocked off, the crew of the motor ship turned to, and a start was made in getting the meat on .board, the railway wagons containing the meat having been shunted back to the wharf. The work continued throughout the night, and it was not until 6 o'clock this morning that the last of the 3700 freight carcases were put aboard. The men worked in two gangs and tho ship's equipment was sufficient to handle the slings, the use of the Harbour Board's gear not being necessary. The meat loaded on to the Port Qisborne comprised lamb, pork and bobby calf. When the last of the consignment had been loaded the hatches .were battened down and the vessel left her berth and went to anchorage in the stream. It was not possible for the ship to take her, immediate departure for London as her mails and papers were not on board, but she sailed shortly after mid-day. She is due to reach London on December 9, so that her produce will be in plenty of time for the Christmas market.

All the deck hands on the Port Gisborne are certificated officers, who shipped "before the mast" for want of employment on the bridge of any other ship. Their wages are the Board of Trade rate of £8 2/ per month, and officially they receive no special privileges.