DRUNKEN FIREMEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16074, 31 October 1912, Page 5

DRUNKEN FIREMEN.

THE MAORI’S EXPERIENCE. For many years past the shipmasters on the New Zealand coast, and also those trading to and from Home, have complained bitterly against the practice of a largo number of their firemen who frequently go ashore at port and return later to the ship in a state of insobriety not befitting the work they are called upon to perform. Owing to the recent strike in London many of the Home liners had to leave England with very “scratch” crews, for which they have- suffered during tho past few months. Desertion has been rife, and at the present time a large number of warrants are on issue against the absconders. There- are a number of these men roaming about tho dominion who will not by any means become worthy citizens. Of late the ferry steamer Maori has had her full share of trouble. At Wellington, on Fridav last, when new articles were being drawn up, the men demanded two days’ nay in lieu of one as provided by the Shipping Act, and as a matter of urgency the company .was forced to accede to the demand so that the vessel could leave that night for Lyttelton. Unfortunately for the steamer the weather was exceedingly bad and she had a trying timo to Lyttelton. While the dispute was on in Wellington, many of the men, in order to fill in their leisure hours and take shelter from the rain, made their way to the hotels, with the result that several obtained more drink than was good for them. When it came to firing up tho boilers some of the men were found to bo wholly incompetent, with the result thr.'J the vessel was unable to obtain her full head of steam. Tho conditions for those in charge of the engines were not very pleasant, and ultimately one of the engineers had to proceed to tho stokehold and take a hand in firing. On Monday tho Maori made an excursion to Picton with about 1000 passengors on board, and on arrival at Picton several of tho men again indulged in doo much liquor, the result being that the return journey to Wellington was considerably delayed. Several of the men retired to their beds and refused to turn to when ordered. On Monday night the Maori did not leave Wellington until ‘ twenty minutes to nine, and as several of her men were still drunk, she found it impossible to pick up tho forty minutes on the run south and she arrived at Lyttelton too late to connect with tho first express. OPINIONS FROM LYTTELTON. When spoken to on the matter yesterday a gentleman with lengthy experience in shipping matters said that as long as there were ships afloat th.ero would always be trouble with the firemen. It was true that several of the men were first-class workors, but there were others who took to the stokehold as a last resource, and it was from these that one might expect most trouble. In these days tho Shipping and Seamen Act made provision for dealing with drunkenness, but unfortunately tho penalty inflicted was not in any way commensurate to the gravity of the offence and the offenders failed to realiso the serious nature of their delinquency. In order that work might proceed smoothly many minor breaches were overlooked by the officers and the men apneared to take full advantage of this leniency. Another gentleman stated that tho matter had now reached a stage when tho companies should insist upon the executive of the Union dealing with offenders. If such a step was taken, there would be a likelihood of getting rid of those men who were a source of trouble. f •

From another quarter it was learned that efforts are being made by the executive of the Union to deal with several offenders who have been reported by the shipping companies for misconduct. Fines did not appear to have the desired effect, and it is considered that the most effective method of dealing with such cases is to expel the offenders from the Union. The agreement under which firemen are working provides for preference to unionists, and provision is made that,, in cases where a member wilfully misses his passage, wilfully misconducts himself on board ship or wilfully impedes, tho passage of the vessel, ho shall be liable to be dealt with as the executive of tho Union may deem fit. The general opinion in shipping circle's seems to be that the executive of the Union has not hitherto dealt firihly with offenders. Prior to the passing of tho Shipping and Seamen Act. Amendment Act in 1909, the companies at each port kent a record of all men desiring engagement, and when a vacancy occurred the officer of the ship advised the representative of the company that ho needed a man, and a man was supplied. Under this system, men of in+emnerate habits were passed over. Under the amended Act, a master has to engage liis men personally or through a superintendent of mercantile marine.