LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 91, 11 January 1919, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

FIREMEN ON OUR STEAMERS A HARD LIFE. Sir,—ln this morning's Dominion there was an article dealing with the firemen on the New Zealand const, and signed "Anti-Bolshevik/" lie insinuates that the white men' have grown too arrogant for these jobs. In Iho first place, I ask him: lias he ever been a fireman and does ho understand what they havo to put up with? There are too many men and women at the present time 'who aro speaking on subjects entirely foreign 'to them, ami as a fireman on this coast-1 feel it my duty, as a man of the "Black Brigade," to say a few words on bqhalf of my mates. For a start, take otir living quarters. Most—if not all—of ihem aro under water, and tlio ventilation for fresh air is absolutely useless. The ports through which we.do get' a hit of fresh air aro of no use at sea, because they aro under water if any se,a is running, and in the livin? quarters we have our meals. .Yery few. boats have a mess-room. In this particular boat our lavatory and bathroom are adjoining our forecastle doorall, down under deck. Application for betterment of these conditions, lias been put in, but so'far .it has linen nil talk, like most other things. When the firemen get their two-lierth cabins on deck, decent food, and they are • treated as British men in a free country, as "AntiBolshevik" says, this is, then the boats will bo manned', and people will have no cause for comnlaint. • Actions sneak louder than words, and when conditions are bettered on board ship then things wi)l improve all round. . If black labour ft .fetched in or imported, then' t.reat tliem as men; give ihem civil right?, 'same wage 1 }, and let them Ira allowed to marry and mix in with our society as one of. us. Will they?,' Can anv man go de>ni in n stokehold and fir» a ship? No. ~ Bid the men doivn below, while the -war w«s on, growl when at any time a mine would perhaps blow th»m up fir a sulinitirin6 strike th'»'ii? Would the averse .limn do it? The heart may be good.- but.'the h<;at would, put'them in,an,early grave; Tlio influenza .which was':rat"ug' a ..few weeks $co mnele a heavy toll- anionest us, which will take a'lot of making, un. We are. expected fri. ivork and. fire shins on all .holidav= to ».;bli<je peonle who, .for tlieir own selfish .pleasure l ' and business, give us' no consideration /whatever, . Trusting on abler pen than mine. • will take this matter mi c-r, IHlerstill, the work so urgently needed will be taken in hand soon.—l am. etc..: . ; , . . SHIP'S FTEEMAN. January, 10, ISM.'