REFUSAL TO SAIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 3 April 1926, Page 8

REFUSAL TO SAIL

SEAMEN SENT TO PRISON (United Proas Association./ OftPaSTOUUEOII, M*’"'b 5 -’- T.v/'?rAy-seven 'jmeittbprs o‘: 0;e cmv ,c.f the .stskvmer .Crowbill, ]y compiled ihst han't* *'i net' phosphate from Ocean Islam at '-A ”‘ -1 ' Uni. hut which lias hccn hehl up urn: Monday night owing to- R'i’, n . ius ing to sail unless paid New /ca-i.tml rates of pay. appeared before Mr »• >• Wkldowson. S.M.. in the Lytle Inn Mapi strain's Court 10-dav on a charge ot ihaviifl’K on 2Sth Match combined wnh otlier members oi the crew to impede the progress of the vessel. Mr •>. I*. Batchelor appeared for defendants Thomas \V. Stewart , msis-ter nl lhe Crossbill, stated in evidence that the ag-reeniont. with the men uas lot •> period of three years from the tune limy had signed on at (llasgow. When the ve?sol was on th ft const o( South .Amorica the rates obtaining there were mvet than those agreed to. but the latter rates liad to bo paid just the same. When hei had spoken to the. men collectively about- their attitude t-hey told him they intended to stick together and refused to withdraw their demands. Hr Batchelor said that- the eases were the outcome of differences between the master and the men. When the men signed on they- were told- that, the vessel would make the trip to Soull l America. thence going to the Islands, and to Australia- and New Zealand, alter which the. vessel was to go hack Home. It- was subsequently learned that the vessel was to be engaged in the trade '.between' 'the 'lslands -and Australia and New Zealand. Thie. Home- rates of wages for firemen were £9 10s a -month, and £9 for seamen, whereas in New Zealand th'e rates 'were £ls 6s 8d and £l4 6s 3d respectively. He stated that on two other vessels which were engaged in a similar trade the men had been paid in New Zealand rates of pay. The men felt that as they were good unionists they should get the higher lates of pay. otherwise they might- be called “scabs." The Magistrate: "What happened when the men on the- two vessels mentioned got Home?" Mr Batchelor: “There is- some allegation that the increased wage was taken from them again.” He added that- the •men had been treated like dogs on the •voyage, and had not been fed properly, being kept without blitter and other articles of food.

The Magistrate: “How long have tliev been in New Zealand?" Mr Batchelor: “Eight- days." The Magistrate: “They have recovered all right?” Air Batchelor: “Yes. they are not nj •bad looking lot." Counsel contended that the men had not refused to carry out -their duty. They were still, in fact, ready to take t,he vessel from the wharf. The Magistrate: “To where?” Mr -Batchelor: .“I don’t- know.” In .evidence, Ted Welsh stated that when lie had complained of the ration given the men, tile, master said that hr j could feed them better on his own. | John iCurrie, a fireman, then entered ' .the box. The. Magistrate remarked that | lie was a healthy looking 'specimen, and j said: “Were on the Island, I too?" I ■Witness: “Yes, it v.as the worst starving I had for years.” (Laughter). I In answer to another question, witness said lie-was prepared to take the vessel ! from the wharf, but as to what would i •happen when this had been done was aiipatter for the officers to deal with. t In .giving his decision the Magistrate stated that the evidence was quite clear that the men 'had combined to impede .the progress of the vessel. It was im .material where the action had taken i ,place. With regard to the question of wages.and fond, these need not he taken into account at all by him. They could be dealt with elsewhere The question of food concerned the Court only in so far as mitigation of penally was eon- . oei;ned. Jtfe would have to sentence : them each to four weeks’ imprisonment with, hard labour. However, if they • changed their minds at any time and I .deieded ,io> take the vessel to sea. they 1 would ibe. liberated, ns had been done. in previous cases. He stressed the fact ! that- the- action .of the men was a sen-i oua one and was of a naltur*. calculated j to -paralyse the whole of the shipping! industry. ! Mr Batchelor staled that lie had been f instructed to tell the Court that the] men would mot. take the vessel to sea t unless they were given Ihe New Zea-I land rates of wages. They were pre- 1 pni’d.ton take .tile''vessel into the stream in? order, ifo' ; save-, the ,'company wharf, charges, hut would not do anything further.' He-said the position was that the company would have to pay New Zealand rates to another crew should it he engaged. The men were not- in the least despirited at- the cases going against them, j some of them stating that they would ; be led belter in gaol limn limy had been on the. Crossbill. Owing to the Lyttelton lock-up being too small to conveniently accommodate them, they were allowed to sleep on hoard the vessel to-night.