SEAMEN'S UNION.

Press, Issue 11564, 22 April 1903, Page 3

SEAMEN'S UNION.

INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER OF MARINE. (special to "the pbess.") WELLINGTON, April 19. The question of preference to unionists cropped up at the Seamen's Union deputation to the Minister for Marine, Mr HallJones. The spokesman (Mr Young) had intimated that although tho Union Lad no sympathy with members who misconducted uhemselves or absented themselves from duty, ft 63d not feel it to be its duty to deal further with them until unionists again had preference of employment. The Minister said he was pleased that the Union had no sympathy with men guilty of misconduct. As for the statement that the Union did not try to influence, the men, he thought they would hear more about the compulsory preference to unionists before long. The deputation remarked that they hoped so. DUNEDIN, April 18. Regarding the complaint of Mr Young, secretary of the Seamen's Union, at Wellington, to the Minister of Marine, that Mr Kirby, an official of the Union Company, takes part in the reading of articles and signing on of seamen, which is the duty of Captain Fleming, shipping master here, Mr Kirby, on being interviewed, gave a most emphatic denial to Mr Young's allegations. He appeared before the Slipping master when the men vrere being signed on solely in the capacity of agent for the skip-ownere. He had never presumed to interfere with Captain Fleming in the execution of his duties. The shipping master was a man of long experience, and ran his office on strict lines, and he (Mr Kirby) was quite sure that no interference would be permitted. H referred to his evidence in a case recently heard in Wellington before Dr. McArthur, in which he made reference to the regularity of the proceedings at the shipping office in Dimodin. Captain Fleming's reply when the matter was put to him, was "I refer you to the Minister of Marinv.for information as to the way in which my office is run."