JOB CONTROL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19201, 6 January 1928, Page 7

JOB CONTROL.

STEWARDS' MEAN ACT

GOVERNOR-GENERAL SLIGHTED

(TSO H OVS OWX COME3POKDKKT.)

SYDNEY, December iS.

What is probably one of the most contemptible acts of job control ever perpetrated on a vessel of the Australian Commonwealth Line occurred yesterday, when the stewards of the Moreton Bay, the flagship to the Balmain Regatta", declined to serve luncheon to his Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Stonehaven), the regatta officials, and the guests. On account of the holiday season it was impossible for the committee to make other arrangements and the official luncheon therefore, lapsed. The decision of the men was not known to officials until almost luncheon time, when it was announced by a delegate. The officials were plunged into consternation, 011 account of the due arrival of Lord Stonehaven, and they endeavoured to make other arrangements; but none of the city caterers communicated with could assist. No victuals were to be had) as there had beeu 110 bread dolivery for several days, and tho desperate realisation was forced upon them that luncheon tickets, even then being sold, would have to be recalled and guests notified that on account of the action of the men the luncheon was cancelled.

Upon his arrival on the Moreton Biiy, Lord Stonehaven was informed of the situation, and he took the news philosophically. However, all of the guests did not go hungry, for from some mysterious source, a limited supply of fresh sandwiches was obtained, and his Excellency was regaled with them and with other refreshments iu the cabin of the commander (Captain P. Ogilvie). The guests took the news with tho best of .grace and cither went hungry or "foraged" for themselves. The Moreton Bay, which is from London and is bound for Brisbane, carries about ICO passengers. These had their meals in the usual way, the stewards only declining to wait on the regatta guests. Apparently they wore somewhat conscience-stricken at the pettiness of their refusal, for none would volunteer any reason for it. Even the union delegate (J. Bycrs) would have nothing to say.

Double Bates Offered. It was learned, however, that last trip ifc was decided, in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining outside catering at Christmas time, that the official luncheon would be served by the ship's stewards. This assurance was given the regatta committee by the Marine Superintendent, of the line (Captain Innes). The men were notified of the arrangement and were offered double rates of pay for the extra duty. On Monday night and again this morning: they held meetings to decide upon n course of action and declined to serve the invited guests. "The whole trouble lies in the fact that a Bolshevik element among the passengers disaffected some of the members of the crew," said one cf the directors of the Commonwealth Shipping Board (Mr R. Farquhar), "and this outbreak of insubordination is the result. I understand that pamphlets were distributed among the crew." A member of the crew, more communicative than the rest, said that the men had just completed a four months' trip, and this being Christmas time, they wanted to get ashore and to their homes. It was unfair to ask tihem to stay aboard, even though extra pay was offered. They had had a particularly hard voyage, and were willing to do their duty so far as the regular passengers were concerned, but objected to adding to their duties and had decided not to serve any of the regatta guests.

Little Extra Work. It was explained by an official of the Commonwealth Line last night that as there were passengers on board bound for Brisbane the service required by the stewards would have involved little extra work. The number of passengers was small compared with the numbers carried from London when two sittings were necessary. The comparatively few extra guests would have made no great difference in the men's work. It certainly would _ not have appreciably delayed their visiting their homes or going ashore.