Reefer To Stay On Run

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29913, 29 August 1962, Page 12

Reefer To Stay On Run

The agents of the African Reefer have no intention of withdrawing* the vessel from the New Zealand trade, says the Wellington correspondent of “The Press.” They believe that before they can be expected to do so, many other ships, the crews of which work under conditions inferior to theirs, must first withdraw. After discussions which continued until late, last night, in the presence of the Danish Vice-Consul (Mr Verner Levaid), the African Reefer’s captain (Captain K. Ahigreen) expressed strong disapproval of the actions and statements of the president of the Seamen’s Union (Mr F. P. Walsh). “It is very unusual that the master of a foreign ship in a foreign port is asked to give information regarding the conditions under which his crew is employed,” said Captain Ahigreen. “Furthermore, it Is almost unprecedented that a foreign ship should be called upon to sign an agreement applying to another country, especially when it is known

that the unions of both cpuntries are members of the International Transport Workers’ Federation or affiliated organisations. “All Danish seafarers have their agreements with the Danish Shipowners’ Federation, and they honour them. Furthermore, anything which is not covered in the agreement is governed by the Danish Seamen's Act. “Mr Walsh has stated that the working week of the Danish seamen is 48 hours. This is incorrect He has also stated that Danish ships are undermanned. This also is not in accordance with fact. “Mr Walsh has stated that Danish seamen have worse conditions than New Zealand seamen. I will not. here give any figures because comparative conditions are very complicated, but I will, at any time, be available to give Mr Walsh, personally, any information he might like to have pertaining to the conditions on board Danish ships. “Mr Walsh has stated that the African Reefer is a ‘cheap labour’ ship. I have AAv Wolch trx ovnloin

what he means, but, as yet. I have had no explanation or apology. I would like to emphasise that the African Reefer complies with all international conventions, and is not sailing under a ‘flag of convenience’.” An offer to discuss the dispute with Mr Walsh in the presence of press representatives was made after the meeting by the managingdirector of the Holm Shipping Company (Captain J. F Holm). 4 “If Mr Walsh is prepared to discuss this matter with me in the presence of the press. I will be pleased to do so.” he said. Mr Levaid said he had been asked by Danish seamen and other workers to demand an apology from Mr Walsh for his derogatory remarks. He had not approached the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) or thfe Minister of Labourt (Mr Shand) directly, bu, had passed on these protests to the Department of External Affairs. The Danish Government had not expressed any view in the matter, but had asked him to assist the African Reefer wherever possible. This was why he was present at the meeting, at the invitation of Captain Ahigreen. Captain Ahigreen: My men have asked me to appeal on their behalf against the remarks made by Mr Walsh. Mr Levaid (to Captain Holm): Can the trade in bananas with Samoa be called coastal trade? I think this could be made clear Captain Holm: Of course not. Samoa is not a part of the New Zealand coast It is a sovereign nation, with a trade agreement with New Zealand. This surely makes the trade international The Labour Department is expected to intervene in the dispute Until now the matter has been in the hands of the Waterfront Industry Commission, but developments have forced a reassessment.