PREPOSTEROUS DEMANDS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 122, 27 May 1925, Page 9

PREPOSTEROUS DEMANDS

WATERSIDERS AND THE WANAKA

(BI TELEGRAPH. PEESS ASSOCIATION.)

INVERCABGILL, 26th May. The Wanaka, which arrived at Bluff thirf morning from Dunedin, lay idle during the day owing to the waterpi dors refusing to work the ship except under special conditions, owing to the finding in Dunedin of diphtheria carriers amongst members of the crew. 'Ihe workers refused to respond to the first call this morning unless they were indemnified against possible sickness! They demanded full pay and medical expenses if taken ill. In the early part of the da.y no move waa made by the shipping company, and the men refused to respond to the midday call. Later in the afternoon it was decided. &hat- the men be indemnified, bnt no (response was made to a call at 4.45 p.m. H_ is, however, probable that the men "will commence, work in the morning, as their demands have been acceded to. Interviewed by a reporter, Mr. L. W. Spencer, manager for the Union Company, stated that the company had agreed to indemnify the men as it could not afford delay to the ship. An agreement was made before the last calif but fie men probably considered that they did not receive sufficient • notice. "In the circumstances," ho said, " the demands of the men are preposterous, as the ship was fumigated and passed by the. Health authorities at Dunedin. I understand that there are several cafes of diphtheria at TJlnff, and n /pan niHit catdi diphlherhi in trains or In- ion {act with other persons in_Bluit."-"