LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 48, 25 August 1925, Page 6

LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS

TROUBLE WITH ARAWA'S CREW

MEN REFUSE/DUTY.

As a sequel to' the trouble which has occurred with seamen in England and Australia, serious developments have taken place on board the Shaw, Savill, and Albion liner Arawa, which is timed to leave Wellington at daybreak to-morrow for London. Yesterday ' afternoon several members, of the crew gave notice of their intention to refuse to take the vessel to sea, and_ today there have been further developments. A "Post" reporter who visited the Arawa this morning was informed that practically the whole crew, with the exception of the officers, are refusing duty. Officials of the Shaw, Savill Company and the Seamen's Federation are declining to comment on the position. The first indication of any trouble was given yesterday afternoon, when several members of the crew gave notice of their intention to refuse to take the Ara-wa to sea owing to the reduction in wages which has taken place as far as British seamen are concerned. This morning tlrere were further developments of a more serious description. Officials of the -Shaw, Savill Company declined to discuss the matter this morning, but a "Post" reporter who paid a visit to the Arawa was told that happenings on board the ' Arawa indicated that the trouble was becoming rather serious. Practically every member 'of the crew, including the stewards, had declined to turn to, with the result that the work of the ship is almost at a standstill. In fact, the officers are practically the only members of the crew on deck, and they have had to. put up with considerable inconvenience, in the matter of meals. and in other directions. It was stated that already a-number of members of the crew had left the ship, and others were expected to follow suit.. It would not be known until later this afternoon, however, what the actual shortage in the Arawa's complement would be.

As indicated above, officials .of the company declined to discuss the matter with representatives, of the Press, and a similar attitude was adopted this morning by the secretary of the Seamen's Federation (Mr. W. T. Young). Mr. Young stated: that* he''knew;nothing, at all about the matter. The. reporter explained the position to Mr. Young, but the only reply was: "Well, that's quite a good thing to do." Beyond that he refused to discuss the matter.

The view is taken in shipping circles that the trouble, although it may appear serious at; present, will be short-lived.-It ,was explained to a reporter- that men engaged on' Home liners sign on for tr round trip, and under the terms of the articles they are not allowed to sign off or leave the ship without the captain's approval. By refusing duty—which im. plies disobedience of the lawful commands of their officers—the men would be placing themselves within the scope of the law. . .