Ship delayed

Press, 19 April 1982, Page 20

Ship delayed

Sir,—l understand that during a recent call at Bluff the vessel Bulknes. engaged in transporting gypsum from Australia for the Bluff smelter, was prevented from sailing for 24 hours by the crew because tne operating agents had declined. because of the high cost involved, to supply crayfish tails for the use of the crew. Those proponents of and those who advocate a new smelter al Aramoana or an extension of the Bluff smelter must surely have qualms about the supply of raw materials if this sort of thing can happen. Perhaps the operators of the ship could be asked to confirm this information and the Seamen's Union to comment as to whether they consider such action to be responsible unionism, in view of frequent claims made of "union co-operation."—Yours, etc., CHRISTINE COOK. April 2, 1982. [The general manager of the Shipping Corporation of New Zealand, Mr C. H. Speight, replies: “The incident referred to on the M. V. Bulknes by your correspondent, is not correct. On January 8, certain ratings on board this vessel claimed there was a reduction in the normal victualling standards of the vessel, which is operated by the Shipping Corporation under agreements negotiated by Comalco's agents. Australian Shipping Consultants. Extensive discussions were held with the ratings concerned and their union executive and the matter was resolved. In progressing these discussions and resolving the problem the vessel missed a tide and sailed on the following tide some six hours later. Matters relating to the' waterfront are often prone to misinterpretation. as has been the case in this instance."]