SEAMAN IN TROUBLE.

Grey River Argus, 25 July 1922, Page 8

SEAMAN IN TROUBLE.

ALLEGED ILLEGAL STRIKE. CHRISTCHURCH, July 22. lhe case in which the Inspector of Awards (Mr T. G. Fielder) proceeded against William Harold Roberts (Mr L. A. Charles) for having taken part in an illegal strike was continued before Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M. William Oscar Jarman, mate of the Wakntu, said that on March 31 Kuss and Gilmour were discharged. Later the crew hold a meeting at Wellington, when the assistant secretary of the union was present. On April 4, after the ship left Kaikoura, all hands gave 1 notice, but stood on for over a month • afterwards. On May 10 the crew again gave notice, and left on the arrival of the ship at Lyttelton on May 12. Air Charles said he would raise two defences —(1) That defendant had left his employment for private reasons, as he was going to study for an officer’s certificate; and (2) that there had been no strike as defined in the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act Amendment Act, inasmuch as the master had refused to perform his obligations under the contract. The articles had been signed on March 13, 1922, and in them was a clause which provided for two A.B.’s, an ordinary seaman, and two firemen, as the complement of the ship. Two men had been discharged, but after a discussion they had boon re-engaged. Defendant had given notice, after the discharge of Kuss. William Harold Roberts, an able seaman, said he gave notice on April 4, on the arrival of the ship at- Lyttelton. Kuss and Gilmour wore reinstated, and he did not leave the ship. On May 10, at 3.25 p.m., he gave notice to the master, and left the ship on May 12. He had intended to sit for an officer’s certificate, but he found that he had not the clear 12 months’ record needed, so

ho shipped a week later in another boat. “I don’t see why 1 should be proceeded against for striking,” said witness, ‘‘when I handed in notieo 24 hours before .1 left.” W. T. Young, secretary of the Federated Seamen’s Union, stated that so far as he had been able to find out the Ship Owners’ Federation was not registered. The Wakatu Shipping Company had never signed tho New Zealand Seamen’s agreement, and was not a party to it. The case was adjourned till Monday.