SHIPPING AND SEAMEN BILL

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14431, 12 August 1912, Page 8

SHIPPING AND SEAMEN BILL

Mr Massey's attention has be*en directed by tho secretary of tho Seamen's Union (Mr W. T.. Young) to the fact that in 1910 Parliament passed a Shipping and Seamen Act which proposed, among other things (1) to compel all ships operating in fho intercolonial trade to pay tho ruling rate of wages in New Zealand; and (2) to imposo a 25 per oent. tax on all bills of lading and passenger' tickets issued from New Zealand for ships mannned by Asiatics. The Union asked tho Prime M-'nioter if be would state tho position the Act occupied, ns twenty months had elapsed sineo it was passed, and it was not yet in force. Mr Masrey's reply indicated that the Imperial Eiuthoriticfl desire eonio amendment made in tho Act, and that tho Shipping Bill introduced this session would effect tho necessary change

How seamen can bo financially superior to their cfficers was cicplaincd by; Captain Watson to a Wellington "Post" repor'cr on Satu-day. Ho wna referring to proposed amendments to tho Shipping and Seamen Act, One of those provides that a home trading sailing ship, running more than 300 miles between terminal por''*,= may be permitted by tho Secretary for Marino to leave without a second mato if compliance wi'-h tho usual requirements would unduly delay tho ship. The reason for-tho chnnge ; Captain Wat sen explained, was that sailing vessels were often delayed for' weeks at ports waiting to get second mates. They wore hard indeed to find fcr sail, although tho wants of steamers could generally bo met They would prefer going before tho mast in- steamers under present conditions to going aa officers in sailer.. As a matter of fact, the captain added, they wou'd have moro pay and no responsibility as seamen. As it iB now, peamen in steamers in very many cases, what with wages and ■ overtime, make moro than their officers, month in and month out.