Fijian seamen no cheaper than Nauruan — witness

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 11

Fijian seamen no cheaper than Nauruan — witness

PA Wellington The general secretary of the Nauru Government. Tamaiti Willie Star, has denied in the High Court at Wellington that it was cheaper to engage a Fijian crew for 1 the ship Enna G than a Nauruan crew. He was being cross-exa-mined by Mr M. A. Bungay, representing William Martin, former president of the New Zealand Seamen’s Union. Mr Martin and James Woods, secretary of the Wellington branch of the union, are second defendants in the action in which the Nauru Local Government Council claims $318,620 damages against unions and officials. The claim arises from the black ban put on the Enna G by waterfront unions in 1973. The hearing is before Mr Justice Ongley alone.

Mr Star was asked by Mr Bungay whether Nauru had unions or whether it had got rid of them. "They are satisfied with conditions." Mr Star said. He said the indigenous population of Nauru was more than 3000. but he could not say what the income of the country was. He agreed that many people said that Nauru was the wealthiest country in the world per capita. Mr Bungay: Nauruans get a lot of money? Mr Star:. I disagree. • Mr Bungay: Like more? Mr Star. We in Nauru are paid the same rate as Fijian seamen, that is the basic wage. We dont get anymore. Asked whether most of the incorrie in Nauru was from Melbourne, being invest-

ments in hotels. Mr Star said it was from the phosphate and was set aside for future Nauruans when the phosphate was depleted. The money being used now to build Nauru House was the money set aside for future Nauruans, he said. Mr Bungay: Where is it? Mr Star In Melbourne. Mr Star said Nauru gained independence from the United Nations in 1968. Asked by Mr Bungay whether Nauru had received considerable support from Australian maritime unions to gain independence. Mr Star said maritime unions were very helpful. Mr Bungay: You were very indebted to them in 1968? Mr Star: They helped the Nauruans and sb did others. They refused to man the phosphate ships into Aus-

tralia until you got independence? Quite a lot of ships call at Nauru. Some of them are manned by Australian seamen. Asked why Nauruan crew were not engaged for the Enna G. Mr Star said it was the policy of the Local Government Council that employment opportunities be given to other islands as well. Mr Bungay: Is it not correct it was cheaper to engage . a Fijian crew than Nauruans? Mr Star: That is not so. Asked by Mr Bungay if he accepted that maritime unions of each country helped the counterparts from other countries when they arrived in port. Mr Star said, “Yes. I do. but not imposing their will on other people."