REFUSING SEDERS AT SEA

Evening Star, Issue 20023, 14 November 1928, Page 12

REFUSING SEDERS AT SEA

TRIMMERS AND SAILORS FINED [Pkr United Puess Assoctaiion.) AUCKLAND, November 13. Ei'dit seamen and seven firemen o the steamer Fort Darwin wore charged in the Police Court with disobeying a lawful order given by the master ol November 10, when tho vessel was between New Plymouth and Auckland. Counsel for the company said that on tho way from Timaru to New 1 lymouth the coal in tho lore bunker bad become heated, and the waterside workers at New Plymouth refused to shift it unless paid higher wages on account of the fumes and the beat. AVben tbo ship put to sea, the firemen and sailors also refused tho duty, making it necessary for tho officers and apprentices to do tho work. Ho bdlicved that coercion had been brought to bear on the sailors. As the ship was sailing to-morrow he asked that the men should not bo imprisoned, . Counsel for the men said tho all air originated some months ago. Ihe chief engineer bad. promised Hie men that the order would not be given. However, lie could do nothing hub plead guilty. The trimmers would have done the work if paid tho same vages as the watersiders. “ If there is one thing to be strictly observed it is oroers of othceis on ships at sea,” remarked Mr Hunt, S.M., as lie fined tlio trimmers two days’, pay and tho bailors ouo day’s pay.