NEW ZEALAND SEAMEN

Evening Star, Issue 20610, 9 October 1930, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND SEAMEN

PREFERENCE OK PHOSPHATE AND FRUIT STEAMERS SOUGHT —' £Pwe Ukitid Puss Association.] WELLINGTON, October 9. A complaint that the Government wag not giving preference to New Zealand steamers and New Zealand seamen in. the phosphate, fruit, and hardwood trades was made by a deputation from, the seamen and waterside workers today to Mr Ransom. It was urged that if the policy advocated were carried out it would be in the interests, not only of the seamen, but of the country as a whole. In regard to fruit, Sir Apirana Ngata said that when the Maui Pomare resumed her running it was hoped that no more foreign vessels would be required by his department. He was very, sympathetic with the representations made. ' Mr Ransom said the Government would do its best to overcome the difficulties that were present in the three trades. Their experience with the Maui Pomare was not very encouraging to the Government to go into the shipping business. Thev had to consider the interests of the producers in the Islands. A ship that might be suitable to the New Zealand Government, might nob be suitable to the Islanders. The Government would do all that was possible to improve the position. He could not believe that Mr Forbes wanted direct action. (This had been hinted.)' They appreciated the fact that there had been peace on the waterfront for a 1 long time, and did not wish to disturb these conditions. Mr Fraser, who had introduced the deputation, said perhaps Mr Fortes could confer with Mr Sculhn in order to obtain preference for New Zealand and Australian seamen in the phosphate trade. . , - . Mr Ransom; That is a good suggestion.