Labour supports seamen bill

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32778, 1 December 1971, Page 18

Labour supports seamen bill

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 30. The Parliamentary Labour Party will not oppose the passage of the Shipping and Seamen Amendment Bill. ' >

This was made clear in Parliament tonight by the Opposition’s spokesman on industrial relations, Mr N. V. Douglas (Auckland Central), when he spoke during the bill’s second reading debate. He and the Minister of Marine (Mr McCready) were the only speakers.

Mr Douglas said in an interview that Labour would not oppose the bill during the committee stages, although members would ask the Minister for clarification of some points. The bill was the focal point of seamen’s opposition during their recent strike, and their union was eventually deregistered. Mr McCready was obviously pleased that the Opposition is supporting the bill.

“No fears”

During the debate, Mr Douglas advised those making seafaring a career that they need not fear the bill.

“The bill is here,” he said, “and I do believe it is workable. I believe it is pliable—it is not so rigid that there is not room for discussion between parties involved — that decisions can be made which can be appealed against.

“I trust that everyone in the industry in this country will do everything they possibly can to see that the industry is brought to a stable situation, and that sea lines will be kept open." Mr Douglas said he deeply regretted the circumstances

which had led to the introduction of the bill and the deregistration of the Seamen’s Union.

The bill provides for the suspension of seamen who receive three bad-conduct reports in three years, and also the introduction of a roster system for manning ships. Mr Douglas said it would have been far better for the nation if the need for the bill, and the action against it, had never arisen. “But they did, and Parliament has no alternative but to move to restore order and to guarantee an assurance that shipping services will be as continuous and efficient as it is possible to make them,” Mr Douglas added. He would not deny the need for rules for conduct, however, they should be kept to a minimum and be easily understood.

“The co-operation of the parties is essential to success but it must be realised that there should be established trust between those concerned before co-operation can be achieved,” Mr Douglas said. New Zealand’s dependence

on overseas markets made it imperative that all involved in sea transport could not afford an industry subject to “avoidable delays.”

Trouble alleged Some irrational statements had been made about the bill—and not all by people opposed to the measure, said Mr Douglas. “They have been made by people who ought to know better,” he added. “They have only wanted to stir the pot of trouble that was evident in the situation.”

Mr McCready said he failed to see how the legislation could be referred to as repressive. “I have received a number of messages from seamen who have indicated their full support for the bill,” said the Minister. “Many of these men have been concerned about the serious loss of earnings through irresponsible hold-ups of ships.” Mr McCready referred to a situation in which a “great and vital industry appears to be bleeding to death.” If it went under, everybody employed in it must suffer as well as the community. The bill provided processes by which grievances could be heard and fairly decided. Seamen would not be able, in future, to go from ship to ship or company to company making nuisances of themselves, Mr McCready said. The bill comprised common sense measures to allow everybody who was willing to get on with the job.

“Better deal” In some ways New Zealand seamen would receive a better deal from the bill than Australian seamen received under similar legislation. The bill was given a second reading.