MINOR DEMONSTRATION

Evening Star, Issue 26091, 3 May 1947, Page 9

MINOR DEMONSTRATION

RAROTONGAN SEAMEN’S CLAIMS A ——- (l’ A.) AUCKLAND, May 2. Eleven Rarotongan members of.tlie. crews of the Public Works Department’s auxiliary schooner, Tagua, and auxiliary ketch, New Golden Hind, paraded to-day through parts of the city, and gathered in the grounds of the Supreme Court bearing a placard stating their claims for pay and better conditions. Both ships have been involved in a dispute with their crews since the end of. March _ When the party arrived in the grounds of the Supreme Court they were spoken to by a police sub-inspec-tor, and they then dispersed Emphasising that the crews- were Cook Islanders who had served New Zealand throughout the war, the placard asked for the payment of war risk gratuity, overtime money, and New Zealand seamen’s award wages, and also demanded bettor conditions. The Tagua is 6n charter to the Public Works 'Department from the Cook Islands Trading Company of Rarotonga, which recently offered her for public sale. She has been at anchor m the stream since March 29 ready to sail for Norfolk Island, Noumea, and the Solomons. The New Golden Hind, is at the wharf waiting to leave for Raoul Island, Nieue Island, and Rarotonga.