PAID OFF.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18308, 16 February 1925, Page 9

PAID OFF.

MOERAKI'S MARINERS.

CLAIM FOR BACK WAGES. (BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION"—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIA* AND S.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Receired February loth, ».o p.m.)

MELBOURNE, February 15. The Moerakrs crew has been paid off.

They informed the shipping master that they accepted the payment under protest. Some announced their intention of remaining and transferring their membership to the Australian Seamen's Union.

The married men with families will return to New Zealand.

SCENE AT SHIPPING OFFICE,

(AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

MELBOURNE. February 14

Excitement was caused at the Union Steam Ship Company's offices when thirty-four men, members of the crew of the Moeraki, who were discharged in accordance with the order of the Court, entered the outer office and demanded to see the manager. Previously the men attended the Mercantile Marine Office, where they should have been paid off, but they refused to accept the money, because the pay-sheet showed only the amount due to them from February Ist to 11th. They claimed that a record of all the wages earned by them since they joined the vessel should be shown on the paysheet.

After marching to the Union Company's office, the spokesman interviewed a responsible official of the company and demanded that the men should be paid, notwithstanding that the men knew they could not be paid off except in the presence of the shipping master.

The money was refused. The company's solicitor arrived and argued with the men. Then a body of police came oh the scene and ordered tlic* men out. They left quietly, but it is understood that they intend to renew their claim to-day.