TROUBLE WITH CREW.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19787, 27 November 1929, Page 4

TROUBLE WITH CREW.

COASTAL STEAMER AFFECTED. frXESS ASSOCIATION TKLEGHAit.) WELLINGTON. November 26. Trouble over the engagement of the crew for Messrs Holm and Co.'s coastal cargo steamer Himatangi, at present completing her overhaul at Wellington, is being experienced by her owners. The vessel paid off all hands at Wellington preparatory to undergoing an extensive overhaul costing about £IOOO. Yesterday, when the crew vrere asked to sign on the articles again, it was found that three new firemen who had undertaken to join the ship did not put in an appearance at the port shipping office to sign. The owners of the Himatangi were given ~.0 understand that unless the three firemen who were employed on the ship prior to her withdrawal for overhaul were re-engaged the vessel would be held up. The owners, however, claim the >-ight to enstnge whom they choose and hold that any interference with this right is a clear case of "job control" by the men. The Seamen's Union officials were interviewed on the subject, but they stated their inability to mediate in the matter. The Union, they said, had no power to compel seamen or firemen to join any vessel if they had no dc-«ire to. The Holm Company refuse to be dictated to by the men as to whom they should employ, and as the matter stands the vessel, which is expected to be ready for sea to-morrow, is without a crew. The Himatangi's complement comprises the captain, two mates, two encinerrs. a cook, a steward, five seaman, and three firemen, a total of fifteen.