THE MAIN GRIEVANCE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17612, 15 November 1922, Page 9

THE MAIN GRIEVANCE.

rOBTUNATE AUSTBAUANS. (PBESS &SSOCUITOH TEUECBJUf.) DUNEDIN, November 14. So far as can be ascertained, the seamen who have been paid off at this port are merely awaiting developments in the North. As a matter of fact they ard snorting but little interest in the holdup, realising that any further action which they may b'e required to take is dependent on tne decision that is arrived at in Wellington. Among weii-uuuiuieci circles it is stated tnat one ot tne mam causes orme ho:u-up, deadlock, striKe or impasse —the actual term by wnich it is iviiown is of liuie conbequeuue —is that under th« new aivurd tue seamen on the New Zeaianci coast are to receive 2cs a month less tnan those on the Australian coast, while at the same time they are not subject (as under the 1920 agreement) to automatic increases :n wages in conformity with those granted in Australia. But it is pointed out, on the other hand, that this objection takes no account of the fact that the cost of living in Australia is exactly iu per cent, higher than it is in New Zealand.

A number of men in the Kaitokef and Waikoupjtj, who signed on at Newcastle, are in a more fortunate position than those owning Dunedin as their home port. These men have been paid off by the company, and as the conditions of their employment make- it necessary for the company to pay them 6e fid per day for expenses, in addition to their wages, they are not at_ all dissatisfied with the position in which they find themselves. One of the conditions to which they are subject is that they must take the first available boat back to their home port, and in order to fulfil this requirement a number of them, about two carriage loads it is said, left for Lyttelton this morning. ACTION BY EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION. (PEES 3 ASSOCIATION TELBOEAM.) AUCKLAND, November 14. The Employers' Association discussed the shipping trouble with the object of devising measures to bring about the re-manning of the coastal fleet. It is understood that such measures were determined on, but no official announcement has been made. The Council of the Chamber of Commerce telegraphed to Mr Massety expressing' appreciation of the Government's action and trusting that the Court's awards will ,be in no way interfered with. MAILS 70S PIOTON. (FaWS ASSOCIATION TEUSOHAU.) WELLINGTON, November 14. As the liner Mania's crew refused to sail with mails for Picton, the Government steamer Janie Seddon left for Picton at 4.15 p.m. with mails. SITUATION AT AUCKLAND UNCHANGED. (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, November 14. The shipping situation is unchanged. The Waihemo which arrived from Pacific Coast ports on Sunday left for Napier and other southern ports at 5.15 p.m. One man signed off here, was replaced without trouble. wMwbgp for the south was lifted by THE TROUBLE IN AUSTRALIA

EXEMPLARY PUNISHMENT OF MOERAKI'S FIREMEN. , ten weeks'lmprisonment. (By Osbl«—Pnat Association—Copyright.) , ? (2ufti«li*n sad N.Z. Oabl* Association.) (Received November 14th, 11.1 ft p.m.) S-' V SYDNEY, Novemoer 14. members of the orew assembled at the Sea-1 p|en'a rooms to-day in accordance with their previous promise, and Surrendered to the police. They were jnarched to the Central Polios Station to answer a charge of absenting themseiyea fxam their ship without leave or sufficient" reason, 'ihey all pleaded |w4ty. Captain Clift of the Moeraki, in evidence, said that prior to leaving the snip the men's spokesman said the men refused to sail because the complement was short and demanded too appointment of four more men in the places of two who were siok, and two who had, given notice. ,Captain Gift said he told the spokesman that without' %he four men demanded the orew Was above the manning scale. It was announced that the Union Company was willing to take the men back and forget what had happened, but they refused unless the. extra men Vfore appointed. Counsel for the Union Company asked for a heavy penalty) describing the men's action as a deliberate hold-up to achieve another purpose than the one Stttted. The Union Company had no desire to be vindictive but no other course was open than the one taken. Asked by the Magistrate if they were willing to give an undertaking to the,company, the men's spokesman leplied: "Jf we get the extra men." T. Tiie Magistrate ordered each accused two days' pay and to be ira- ' prisoned for ten weeks with hard labour. THE PALOONA CASE. IMPRISONED MEN APPEAL. (Received November 14th, 11.15 p.m.) J : MELBOURNE, November 14. Notice of appeal has been lodged on behalf of the Paloona's crew of twentyseven- seamen who were sentenced to fourteeji days' imprisonmtnt yesterday. MAILS FOR NEW ZEALAND. SHIPPED IK THE EAUEL (By Ctble-PieM A«»oclatkra-Copvri?ht,) (AuMr»!iui and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received November 16th, 12.16 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 14. The Moeraki's mails were sent,to Newcastle for shipment by the Ka»n, which is sailing for New Zealand ,tomorrow. An additional mail will be sent forward for shipment by the 'Kauri to-morrow forenoon.