FOREIGN SEAMEN & WATERSIDE WORKERS

Evening Post, Volume xciv, Issue 73, 24 September 1917, Page 8

FOREIGN SEAMEN & WATERSIDE WORKERS

Within the last year or two (writes the Auckland Star) there have been ■ several instances on coastal boats and on the New Zealand waterfront, where foreign seamen and workers have made trouble by their ill-considered utterances. .The facts show that these men who, make this .trouble themselves- 'have strong pro-German opinions, and it has been spread by themselves, .and believed by_ most, that their nationality is neutarai. In Auckland itself the Waterside and Seamen's Unions harbour many a man who has some neutral country as his professed place of birth, but there have never been any definite steps taken to. prevent the harmful alien from sheltering under these nationalities. The Seamen's Union here keeps a record of the birthplace of all ite members, and it is understood that steps are taken to see that their professions are supported. But there are great difficulties in the way of the other affected union—that of the vatersiders--t»k ing the same steps. The rules of the watersiders insist on a person being admitted if he be "of good character ard sober habits," but there is no other restriction, and till there is some law to compel a man to state his birthplace, and prove it, there roust always be a sprinkling of pro^Geronans on the New Zealand wharves. The Star points out that an anomalous poskiori is created ;n connection with the restrictions for the safety of overseas steamers, since an alien, if hie- obtains work as a watersider, has access to these vessels^ Some time ago, it may be mentioned, the Seamen's Union adopted a rule requiring that no men of foreign: birth should be eligible for office. '