SHIPPING NEWS Watching for girls and a job

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33815, 11 April 1975, Page 14

SHIPPING NEWS Watching for girls and a job

(By

JOHN LESLIE)

A correspondent, R.S.E.. of Balfour, Southland, has asked; tiow tiie engagement of seamen 1 jperated in New Zealand before? the present roster system. He might recall the old song—, ‘Standing on the corner, Ing all the girls go by.” For ini nautical parlance, when sesjnen were “on the corner” they were; normally outside a shipping oflice seeking work. Seamen were engaged at the' shipping office, at specified: periods, by a New Zealand vessel’s chief officer. Prospective applicants were keen to know who their chief officer or “mate” would be. for he was their manager. Above him was the master Usually, a nod was sufficient to engage a man, but an officer could examine a mans discharge papers, if he wished. In the inter-island steamer I express service men stayed at | the job, year after year. Before the war they were often “High-j land” men; there were many “Macs” on the old Rangatira:' they had lusty voices and were: excellent seamen. The boatswain of the Rangatlra in those days was Dan Lamont. He was always neatly garbed in a buttoned dark tunic and uniform cap. He probably had more power then than a New Zealand shipmaster has today. But he ruled by silent, benevolent authority. A good or average man was rarely out of a job. except at the height of the depression, when about 50 men might stand up for one job aboard the liner Makura, for example, a favourite on the Pacific run. Officers were out of work, too, remember. The word “dispute” was practically unknown. If a dispute arose it was normally sealed quietly and amicablv. New Zealand ships sailed right on time, just as ships from the Spviet Union visiting Lyttelton today always do. The powerful head of the Seamen’s Union (Mr F. P. Walsh), who w'as later a successful NeuZealand farmer, was hard, but just with his seamen. Everyone knew where they were. Conditions on New Zealandregistered ships today are luxurious. Crews have television, ample leave, and magnificent cuisine. But older seafarers, who still appreciate today’s benefits, say that ships w ere happier in former times. Writing from personal expert I ence in “the old days,” I can say I that one had to create content i ment somehow. ■ In those days a seaman whe j did not like a chief officer, s ; ship, or the trade it was or ! could “sack” himself and ge’ : another job the next week. Vic timisation was unknown although I there were certainly “good boys* ! and “naughty boys.” And sea I men worked continuously for i whole year. too. : British ships were stricter 'They still are. Unenjploymen i among seamen in Britain wa ! worse than in New Zealand. once saw the “hunger marchers from Jarrow-on-Tyne in lb d Park, and at that time dozer. : of good seamen with fine dh charge books were lining up fo a handful of jobs in Liverpoo About that ’ime 1 met a bu conductor in London who was • master mariner: he considere J himself lucky to have any jol On board another ship in Gia: t gow I met a master marine .! hawking small items m a ira l i T realised then that Nev Zeal an W a c r ’ At one time, even here, it wi iinapoMibla to a dock boy

job. But many a distinguished i shipmaster in Neu r Zealand rose I to command from these beginnings—and did it at his own > expense from meagre earnings.

Older seamen have told me they preferred the old system of engagement. Young seamen as well as old tell me now thev are atiaid for the future of

New Zealand shipping. They are frightened that the Union Steam Ship Company’s fleet mav be gradually sold off or transferred to the Australian flag.

New Zealand seamen then would have what some of them claim to want —entirely their own shipping line. But the much smaller New Zealand Shipping Corporation might prove to be a harder task-master because the shareholders are tax-payers. To conclude in a lighter vein About 20 years ago I was atand ing on the pavement in Tav Street, Invercargill. A Jarge. prosperous man in a car drove slowly past and shouted a greeting. Mutual recognition was Instantaneous—and pleasant. “You sacked me—remember?” he shouted. He was dead right. “That will cost you a beer on* day,” he said. And drove away, laughing his head off. ARRIVALS Rangatlra <6.39 a.m.), 9387, Capt. J. D. Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.). Union Sydney <9.7 a.m.), 4752, Capt. R. H. Stewart, Wellington (U.S.S.). Holmdale (8.47 p.m.). 911, Cant E. R. Warner, Chathams (U.S.Sj. CONTAINERS Cargo from the following containers is now available In E shed: — Australian Exporter 2266: I UFCU 279517, ACTU 2010388; i ACT 2:ACTTT 2006475. DEPARTURES Union Sydney (2.11 p m>, 4752, Capt. R. H. Stewart, Dunedin ' tU.S.SJ. Rangatlra '8.4 p.m 9387, Capt. J. D. Cleaver, Wellington (U.S.S.). Torrens (4.48 p.m ■, *947, ‘Cap’ Lyre Olsen. Dunedin (Scales) isemi-container). EXPECTED ARRIVALS Rangatlra, Wellington. April 12 Port Auckland, Auckland. April 12. Frubel Prinses Paola. Auckland, April 13. iEsquilino, Wellington, April 13 Erne Marsden Point, April 13 (Tanker». JRangatira, Wellington, April 13 . 1 Tasmania Star. Taurange. April ' 14. •' Coastal Trader, Auckland, April 14. . Hawea, Wellington, April 15. > | Tasman Career, Wellington, Apr!! I 17. 2|Tokuho Maru, Napier, April 17. 1 Laurentic, Sydney, April 17 , Union Wellington, Auckland April 18. s PROJECTED DEPARTURES 1 i Rangatlra, Wellington, April 1! i daylight). r> Erne. Wellington, April h (Tanker). • Hawea, Dunedin. April 15. r i Frubel Prinses Paola, Auckland I April 16. 'Union Wellington Wellington K April 18. d Rangatlra, Wellington. April 11 ). C.oastal Trader. April 14 a- Esquflino, Timaru. April 16. r Tasmania Star, Napier. April 1‘ Tokuho Maru, Pusan, April 19. VESSELS IN PORT is I Holmdale. No. 2 East. ’«! N'gatoro, No. 4 West (laid uo