Seamen Warn On Asians Manning Wanganella

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29916, 1 September 1962, Page 11

Seamen Warn On Asians Manning Wanganella

IN.Z Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, August 31. Maritime unions have complained to the Australian Council of Trade Unions about a proposal that the former trans-Tasman liner, Wanganella, manned by an Asian crew, will resume its former run. If this happened, the maritime unions would ask the A.C.T.LL to impose a “black” ban in an attempt to force the owners, Hang Fung Shipping and Trading Company, Ltd., to employ an Australian crew, union spokesmen told reporters today. . .

• A black ban would mean waiterside workers and other waterfront unions would refuse to handle cargo and passengers’ luggage on the ship). Wages 40 Per Cent, Less Earlier today the secretary of the Sydney branch of the Seamen’s Union, Mr Barney Smith, said wages to be paid to Chinese crew on the Wanganella would be about 40 per cent, less than those paid to an Australian crew. Mr Smith said Australian seamen, at present taking the Wanganella to Hong Kong, were being paid £135 a month, including fringe benefits.

In Hong Kong, more than 100 members of the Australian crew would be replaced by Chinese seamen. The vessel is making its maiden voyage to the Orient, after many yeans on the Australia-New Zealand run.

The replaced Australians will be repatriated to their home ports. The owners of the vessel have sa.id that the purpose of engaging Asian crews was to cut costs.

Union officials told reporters today that a ship manned with an Asian crew and operating in Australian waters would create a dangerous precedent. They said they were afraid the practice, if not stopped, might extend to other ships on the Australian coast.

The general secretary of the Maritime Stewards' Union. Mr W. Macdonald, said today the new owners of the Wanganella were attempting to avoid payment of Australian company and wages taxes by registering the vessel in Hong Kong. No Agreement

The assistant secretary of the Seamen’s Union. Mr J. Benson, said his union became suspicious when i the owners wanted the union to sign an agreement it would not object if the Wanganella returned to Australia. Consequently. he added, his union

refused to sign an agreement. In his opinion, neither the Australian nor New Zealand unions would agree to work on a ship manned by Asians while Australian crews were unemployed. frans-Tasman Trips

A spokesman for the ship’s agents, F. H. Stephens Pty., Ltd., said tonight the Wanganella would make four cruises before February. It would do Trans-Tasman trips as part of a cruise and between cruises where possible.

The spokesman said the liner would arrive in Sydney on October 10 and leave the same day for a cruise to Norfolk Island.

The Wanganella and three coaistal ships now run by the Hong Kong company were not keeping coastal vessels out of employment, the Federal Minister of Shipping and Transport (Mr H. Oppermann) said yesterday. The other three ships are the former coastal ships. River Norman, River Glenelg, and Ka.pcnga, The Minister said the tour ships had completed their useful life in the coastal trade.

“The understanding of my department is that the intended future employment of the vessel will be in the Australia-Pacific-Far East passenger and cargo trade," he said.

“Wages and conditions are usually lower in vessels

registered in Far East ports and manned by non-Austra-lian crews."

If the Hang Fung firm did not use these ships for the carriage of general cargo south, and scrap cargo north, some other overseas vessels would receive the trade. Because of the conditions applying to Australian seamen —"recognised as the best in the world” —and the higher rates of pay, no Australian ships could compete against overseas vessels for the carriage of cargoes to and from Australia. 173 Died In Korean Flood (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) SEOUL, August 31 The relief centre in Sunchon city, on the southern coast of South Korea, announced today that 173 persons had been confirmed dead as a result of the flood which hit the city and its neighbouring area on August 28

Officials of the centre said an investigation showed 31 others were believed to have been drowned when the embankment of the river running through the city and a reservoir near the city collapsed after violent rains Rescue workers continued digging in washed-out mud in an attempt to find more bodies.