PARTIAL RELIEF

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 69, 18 September 1930, Page 10

PARTIAL RELIEF

THREE SHIPS RESUMING

BUT MOKE NEEDED

Although thero will still be many compcllcd to remain ashore, the position with regard to the seamen and stewards who have been thrown out of work by the loss of the Tahiti, and the laying up of a number of cargo vessels, will be somewhat relieved during the next few days, when three vessels will bo reeomwissioned.

Tho intercolonial steamer Maraina, which has been laid up at Wellington since the middle of July owing to the depression in the intercolonial service during the winter months, is being prepared for the sea again. She will be rceomnnssioncd on Monday, under the command of Captain A. T. Toten, late of the Tahiti, and will leave on that day for Auckland to sail from there on Friday, 26th September, for Sydney.

In addition to Captain Toten, there will be several on the Marama who were with tho Tahiti on her last trip. Theso will include two of the deck officers, and, it is understood, a number of the crew and stewards. A number of men have been engaged during the past few days in working aboard the vesesl to get her ready for re-enter-ing the passenger service. Many of the crew which signed off the Marama when she was laid up have scattered from v Wolington having taken work on other ships.

Two of the colliers which were temporarily laid up owing to the scarcity of freight are returning to active service before the end of the week. The Kartigi is being re-commissioned at Wellington on Saturday, and the Kainriro is reeommissioning at Auckland

to-morrow

The position will be further improved when the new Monowai enters the San Francisco service early in November, although a man closely in touch with tho labour market so far as the sea is concerned remarked to a "Post" reporter to-day that it would take a number of Monowais to absorb all the men who are offering. From the beginning of November and through the summer months, the position will be normal as regards the passenger vessels, as the Makura and Monowai will be engaged on the San Francisco run, and the Marama and Maunganui in the intercolonial service.