THE MAORI HELD UP

Evening Star, Issue 15074, 4 January 1913, Page 1

THE MAORI HELD UP

HER FIREMEN REFUSE TO WORK.

About 600 passengers who intended to travel by the Maori to Lyttelton last evening had to be transhipped to the Arahura, Te Anau, and Tarawera (says a Wellington message). The reason * was the following paragraph, which was telegraphed through the Pie.-s Association from Wellington on Wednesday last: " The L'nion Company's trip to Picton by the Maori this morning was abandoned, owing to the demand by the firemen ■ for 50s for the trip, which 'demand the company refused tu entertain.'.' The message, which was published in the Christchurch papers, caught the eye of the firemen on the Maori at Lyttelton on Thursday, and they took exception to it, as it was' incorrect.

The men, on arrival at Wellington, demanded an apology from the Press Association, but on this being foithcoming, together with an assurance that corrections would be sent out, the men denial.ded a written apology. _ A meeting was held .at 2:30 p.m. at the Custom-house, where the men were addressed by Mr W. Kennedy, general manager of the Union Steam- Ship Company in Wellington, and Mr Young. ■" • Mr Kennedy produced a full and unqualified apology from the Press Association. The Union Steam Ship Company, he remarkc i. were no* m any way respoii-i-.V;ic ?„■■'■ rtiat b,;d l>>n published! ai'-H.Jie firemen,' by taking the actkn tlicv did, were holding up one of the great'public conveniences.

Mr Young, secretary of the Seamen's Union, also urged the men to return to work, and pointed out that the Press Association had. given ai. apcloev in writing. A motion to the effect that" the men reconsiner the position and proceed to work was then put and lost. In all, 15 firemen. nine tinvmcis. a stoiekeeper. a donkeyman, and a greaser vacated their'position's, and as it was impossible to replace these the Maori was unable to proceed. Her 600 passengers were sent on with the Aialuira. Te Anan. and Tarawera. Iwo of the Tarawera's firemen failed to reruvn to duty, but a couple '•■(' signed on as firemen, and'the difl'icultv was got over.