Danger Money

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1947, Page 5

Danger Money

WANGANELLA CLAIM Strike Continues P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 21. Wellington unionists working, or likely to be involved in work, on the Wanganella, now in the floating dock, continued to-day to declare the ship black in sympathy with claims of the Australian seamen for danger money.

Union representatives met the employers’ agents at a conference presided over by Mr. E. Taylor, Secretary of Labour, this morning.

The unionists advanced claims for 17s 6d danger money for the Australian seamen from the time that the Wanganella was stranded on Barrett’s Reef to the time that she berthed in the harbour. The unionists also asked for 10s an hour for New Zealand workers. After the discussions, the employers’ representatives left to communicate with their agents in Australia. A reply has not yet been given to the Union officials, but it may be available to-morrow.

Men of seven unions are standing firmly behind tl)e claims of the Australian seamen advanced by the Federal Secretary of the Australian Seamen’s Union, Mr. E. V. Elliott. Until satisfaction is achieved on these claims they are continuing to declare the Wanganella black. The dispute involves engineers, boilermakers, shipwrights, plumbers, harbour workers, and waterside carpenters.

Captain J. Rankine (Napier) and Captain A. T. Norton (Wellington) will be the nautical assessors associated with Mr A. M. Goulding, S.M.. in the magisterial inquiry into the stranding of the Wanganella on Barletts Reef. The inquiry will open in Wellington at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, and may last two or three days. Dr. N. A. Foden will represent the Marine Department, and Mr ,C. A. L. Treadwell will appear on behalf of Captain R. Darroch, master of the Wanganella.—P.A.

NEW NAVIGATION SCHOOL WELLIN&GTON. Feb. 21. The Minister of Marine, Mr O’Brien, announced in Wellington to-day that a navigation school similar to that at Auckland would be opened at Wellington next Monday. Facilities would be provided for merchant navy men to study for progression to officer rank and to higher rank for those already in possession of certificates. The Wei lingten school will be under th* supervision of the director of th« school at Auckland. WHARF REGULATIONS WELLINGTON, Feb. 21. Amendment No. 2 to Waterfront Industry Emergency Regulations gazetted last night provides for the alterations in waterfront control announced by the Government earlier in the week. The appointment of Mr A. E. Bockett as Commissioner of the Waterfront Industry Commission is also gazetted. Improved amenities and facilities for workers on the Wellington waterfront are expected as a result of a meeting yesterday between the Waterfront Industry Commissioner (Mr A. E. Bockett) and representatives of interested organisations, at which suggestions were discussed. Improved waiting accommodation, canteens at various wharves, and better toilet facilities generally have been recommended to the Wellington Harbour Board by the meeting.