FIREMAN REFUSE DUTY

North Otago Times, Volume C, Issue 13146, 29 August 1914, Page 3

FIREMAN REFUSE DUTY

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 28. Dissatisfied with the rate of wage 3 which they were-receiving, twenty-one firemen and-trimmers on the big cargo steamer Orari. which is being converted info a troopship, refused duty at about nii'i-day to-day, and subsequently ware arrested. The vessel, which is lying at the Glasgow wharf, is from London, and the men have been receiving the Home rates of pay, which provided for a n; numeration of Jo.. 10/- per month for firemen. The cause of the discontent, it ao'' pears, is that the men on Certain other vessels, such as the Tahiti and the Maungaiiui, which havo been takdu over by the Government for transport purposes, are paid at the inter-colonial rate, which is considerably higher. The Orari's men considered that their wages should be brought into' line with-"those obtaining 011 other ships utilised for t r lio samp purpose as their own lias bean requisitioned for. The inter-colonial late for firemen generally is £9, and for Si.xlieur watches £lO per mouth. The men declined to turn to, failing the granting of their demand, and about 7 o'clock this evening twelve firemen and nine trimmers were arrested on a chaise,of refusing to obey the lawful command of. the master of the ship.