A better deal for Island ships

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33370, 31 October 1973, Page 16

A better deal for Island ships

By arranging a conference on shipping in the Pacific region, the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) brought the New Zealand Seamen’s Union face to face with some of the people of the South Pacific who want to run and man their own shipping services. The union has long been an advocate of a nationally-owned shipping line for New Ze'fland. No organisation in this country could have been worse placed to oppose similar aspirations in other countries —particularly among New Zealand’s neighbours. While the Seamen’s Union protested that it was actively concerned for the welfare, wages, and working conditions of Islanders aboard their own countries’ vessels, the trade of these vessels was in jeopardy. Mr Kirk can hardly be suspected of wanting to do anything to encourage the unjust exploitation of Island seamen and his main concern has obviously been to prevent union intervention in New Zealand from making nonsense of his programme for assistance to the people of the Pacific. Some sharp words were spoken at the conference about New Zealand union attitudes, and it is to the credit of the seamen’s representatives that, while they do not wish to see New Zealand ships lose the Pacific trade, they accepted the conference’s decision that will allow the Islanders to carry on shipping services. The New Zealand union would not allow other countries to dictate the terms it should accept for the employment of its own members; it could not, in conscience, dictate to others. All parties have agreed to abide by the rules set by international organisations; this is a fair conclusion. The New Zealand union has argued that no-one had more to lose than its own members in the way of opportunities for jobs. Presumably, the union spokesman did not have the Islanders In mind. In fact, the expansion of trade for New Zealand ships is likely to be sufficient to ensure that no New Zealand seamen will be lacking places in ships for very long. Although the New Zealand Government has made its views on shipping plain enough, thoughts about development in the Pacific region cannot end here. If the Government supports the establishment r>f Island shipping services that will reach New Zealand ports, it may be expected to have similar views about receiving the goods that the ships bring to New Zealand The development of the Pacific Island economies will undoubtedly produce markets for New Zealand goods. It also implies that more Imports will come from the Islands: and this will interest more than the Seamen's Union.