GOVERNMENT STEAMERS.

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1916, Page 2

GOVERNMENT STEAMERS.

THE BliA-GX LIST POSITION. WELLINGTON, December 2. The Government vessels "blacklisted" by the Seamen's Union were referred to by speakers of the deini. tatiou which waited on the Hon. Dr. McXab yesterday. Mr W. T. Youn? stated that when the late -Mr George Laurenson was Minister for Marino, an agreement was entered into ro garding the Hinemoa, Tutanekai, anr* AJmokura, under which the men haci superior conditions to those on private vessels. In 1013, at the time of the strike, when Mr F. M. B. Fisher was Minister, the crew of the Hine moa had given 24 hours' notice in the terms of their agreement, and tlu Minister had announced that the agreement was termianted as far af that ship was concerned. As to Ihr Aimokiira she had three members ->f the union aboard, and on ,, of them ha-' deserted at Port Chalmers, ami the Minister had (lec)ared that the a:.rc- ; >- ment was also terminate'!, as far .is that vessel was concerned. These, '.-cntinued Mr Young, w?re paltry reasons, and the cirputaM-on was of the opinion that these ships should bo reinstated to the position they were J r. before the trouble (htmii'ic-. Mr \V Belcher urged that rhr conditions pertaining u> the Government's vessels should ho reverted to, Dr. MeNab, in reply, stated that he could say nothing about wliftt his predecessor had done, but when vc came into olricc as Minister the agreement was not in operation. He did not think it could be said that the men were not better treated than thost on private vessels. Cabinet had decided to obtain the best men for it: vessels, and did not object to then becoming members of the union, bui it could not see its way to U unionism being a condition precedes to their employment by the Govern, ment.