DECK CARGO PROTEST.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1808, 5 May 1921, Page 5

DECK CARGO PROTEST.

LIGHT TINE FOR SEAMEN.

(Pei- Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Last Night

An incident of the coastwiso trade, when the crew of the Mako, last month, refused to go to sea if the ship carried deck cargo, was ventilated beforo Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., to-day, when the deck crew of seven men were charged that on April 15th they refused to obey a lawful command of the master. Mr Moody, for the captain, who prosecuted, stated that on April 14th, when a deck cargo of between two and three tons of sulphuric acid was being stowed on the ship's deck under proper supervision, ono of the men notified that the crew, under instructions from their union, would not proceed on the voyage to Napier with the deck cargo aboard. The crew did not respond to orders to stand by to cast oft: from the wharf. Again, next day, the same thing happened. When the deck cargo was put back on the wharf the crbw carried out their work and the vessel proceeded on her trip, but were informed that they would be prosecuted for their disobedience. The ship had been surveyed by the Marine Department in August last. Mr Poynton said that one aspect in the case in the men's favour, was the nature of the cargo, sulphuric acid, in connection with the shipping of which there had recently been an accident in Auckland. The men may have been apprehensive and had some right to a say about deck cargo where they had reason to distrust the ship's stability. Still there was another quite proper way of doing.it without disobeying tho lawful commands. Their action had apparently not been wanted and without reason and they would be fined 10/ and 28/ costs each.