MEN UNDER ARREST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 9

MEN UNDER ARREST.

Trouble on Cargo Vessel at

Vancouver. MEMBER OF CREW IN HOSPITAL (Received 1.30 p.m.) VANCOUVER, September 27. The 31 deck hands and firemen of the Union Company freighter Wairuna, who were arrested aboard the vessel on charges of desertion following their refusal to furnish steam cither to unload cargo or to return to sea, appeared in the Police Court to-day. The accused men were remanded until to-morrow". The captain has rejected the men's proposal not to move the ship until the longshoremen's strike has ended, and the vessel is being loaded ready to sail. A spokesman for the men said they refused to unload because Vancouver was classified as an unfair port owing to the longshore strike. One of the crew, Arthur Mackenzie, was taken to hospital shortly after the ship's arrival, and the crew refused to take the vessel out short-handed. The cargo was discharged by the new union, recognised by the British Columbia Shipping Federation. OHicials of the Union Company said the crew had made no objection when the cargo was loaded, though they knew it was destined for Vancouver. If objection had been made, the cargo, which was partly perishable, including dried fruits and canned foods, would not have been loaded.

A spokesman for the company said the men were within their rights in refusing to go to sea short-handed, but efforts to fill in the crow had been met with refusal by the men, resulting in the captain swearing out the warrants. The officers and stewards are still 011 board.

Mackcnzio is suffering from appendicitis, but has not been operated upon, and is progressing well. It is expected he will be able to leave hospital in a few days.