NIAGARA LEAVES SYDNEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 10 June 1939, Page 10

NIAGARA LEAVES SYDNEY

DISPUTE WITH ENGINEERS l U.P.A.— By Electric Telegraph— Copvriehi; SYDNEY, 9th June. The sailing of the liner Niagara was delayed 20 bouts because of trouble between the ship’s engineers and the company regarding the men’s accommodation. The vessel sailed at 1 p.m. for Auckland after a compromise agreement had been reached. The company’s Sydney manager, Mr A. J. Soutar, announced that steps would be taken to provide additional accommodation for the engineers. The fact that practically all the passenger accommodation was taken up presented a serious difficulty in finding * alternative berths for the engineers. However, rearrangement of some berths would be made during the voyage in order to overcome the grievance. One junior engineer refused to sign 1 on, and his place will oe tilled in Auckland. Another engineer told a pressman: “We are supposed to work, eat and sleep practically on top of the engines. All our quarters are aft on the starboard side.” The 450 passengers took the hold-up philosophically. Nevertheless. they were glad when they were informed that the dispute was settled.