THE COASTAL SERVICE.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13975, 12 September 1917, Page 2

THE COASTAL SERVICE.

DISCONTENT AMONG OFFICERS. DEPUTATION TO "MINISTER. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 10. A deputation from the Merchant ' Service Guild waited upon the Minister of Marine this afternoon with refer' ' ence to the position of officers in tho l ! coastal service. ] Captain Maclndoe, as spokesman, said that the discontent mainly aroso from the fact that tho Union Company I refused an application for a war bonus, siting that it was not justified in : small boats trading out of Wellington. He thought the position of salaries was 'not.fair as against those paid to seamen. The deputation referred also to , the position of officers employed on : vessels not commandeered by the Government, yet trading in the ■danger zone, It was suggested that the shipping company employing thorn should take out insurance policies for tho men ' not covered by the shipping law. In reply, the Minister expressed surpvlsp at the fact that th~ salaries of ■'. < n were so low. If s.:;i;.'::; ! s wages '.nut'imed as ai piv-.w.:. the salaries ••!■:!' ;.:• ra'.-C't. !!■■ advised the guild '* ".o.e in the labour courts, mid no • :n;bt the Union Company would givo \ ':■(■ guild a sympathetic hearing. Ho' had already given consideration to tho position of officers and men of the mercantile marine in connection "with war Tisks, and had asked the Secretary of Marine for a report on the position, and as soon as full information reached him .ho would bring tho matter before tho i Government with the,objcct of making | provision for the dependants of men jwlio might lose their lives through tho ■ war. !- i