THE MAORI AND HER FIREMEN

Evening Star, Issue 15075, 6 January 1913, Page 4

THE MAORI AND HER FIREMEN

VESSEL STILL HELD UP. ' SERIOUS OUTLOOK. [Per Untied Press Association.] WELLING lON, January 6. 1 here is little fresh to report regardin'-' the Maori difficulty. The steamer’is still tied up at tho wharf, and theie seems every prospect of her remaining there. The aggrieved men demand that the Press Association's apology be published, with the signature of the person who originally communicated the intelligence to" that office. Asked to-day what the attitude of the men was, (Mr Young (secretary to the Seamens Union) said to a ‘Post’ representative : “The position this morning is just about the same as it was on Saturday—that is, the men require the signature' of the, person who procured tho informal ion, and that an apology be published in the Press. If that is done, they are quite prepared to at- once, sign articles and return to work.” Questioned as to what he had done since Saturday to secure a crew for the ship, Mr Young said : “I have done what T can to try to get the ship away, but. it is a sheer impossibility, and I am afraid that if the matter is not fixed up very shortly miich more serious complications will arise.” "Is there any apparent inclination on the, part of the men to go back to ihe ship?” the union secretary was asked. “No,” ho replied, “they seem to be just as strong and determined in their attitude as they were on Saturday.” Meantime, tho Union Company are obliged to refuse all booking for the Maori, and even now it is very difficult to say whether even the, To Anau will he able to eai! for Lyttelton to-night. It is understood that the fiiemen will meet at 2-30' this afternoon to discuss the position. Later. At 3 o’clock this afternoon it was: doubtful if the To Anau would be able to obtain sufficient firemen to enable, her to sail for the south to-night.