THE MANUKA

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 21 May 1925, Page 6

THE MANUKA

HELD UP AT WELLINGTON.

As the result of trouble with the crew, the Union Company's intercolonial steamer Manuka, which was to have sailed at 6 o'clock last evening for Lyttelton, Dunedin, Bluff, and Melbourne, is held up at Wellington. The members of .the deck and stokehold crews are refusing to sail as ,a protest against the quality of food with which they are served. The trouble originated on the last trip of the_ ilanuka to Melbourne. When the ship, was in mid-ocean the men demanded a greater variety of food, and this request was granted." All went well until the Manuka was on her return trip. A couple oi days out from Melbourne, the men allege," the improvement in. the rations ceased. Tha.men require a guarantee that their menu will be restored, and, failing that guarantee, they will decline to sail" on the Manuka. The Union Company denies that there has been any lowering in the standard of food supplied.. The food, it is .stated, is well up to the standard quality and well cooked.

_ A conference of Union Company ofcials ant] representatives of the Seamen's Union 'took place last evening, but it was not found possible to reach any agreement. There has hern no alteration in tlic position fn-dn.y. ; in d lh" vessel was timed to sail ot. 3 o'clock this aflenioon H ia very doubtful, howe^r, whether Uie will be abla tg gut awiiv..