MAPOURIKA'S FIREMEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15201, 15 January 1913, Page 8

MAPOURIKA'S FIREMEN

VESSEL'S CREW PAID OFF.

NO AGREEMENT POSSIBLE.

WORK CONSIDERED- TOO

HARD.

[BY TKIKGBAI'H.--rBKSS ASSOCIATION-]

Wellington-, Tuesday. The advice given this morning to intending passengers to the West, Coast has proved to be quite sound in every particular. Anyone who wishes now to reach the West Coast must either travel via Chriatchurch, or wait for the Arahuraat the end of the week, for the Mapourika has been taken off the run, and is to lay up indefinitely. As forecasted by the secretary of the Seamen's Union, no men could bo obtained to form the vessel's stokehold crew this morning, and the Union Company was forced to pay off all other hands, as there was no chance of getting the ship to sea. It was ascertained in the afternoon that the Seamen's Union would not make any trouble or objection if the Union Company, were to put' another boat on the run to replace the Mapourika. Tho secretary, Mr. Young, said that the only objection was to the heavy work imposed on the Mapourika's firemen on the existing staffing scale. If the company put on some other boat it would get a crew all right. No trouble need bo anticipated in connection with the Arahura, which was regarded by the men as a good ship. She carried six firemen, three trimmers, and three greasers, on exactly the earn© running as the Mapourika. with her weaker stokehold crew. The Arahura was at sea for ten hours less per week than the Mapourika, and was a much better ship for local men. *

Tho whole matter was discussed at a ! meeting of the Wellington Seamen's Union, which passed the following resolution: — " Whereas tho Mapourika has become too heavy a ship for one fireman on watch, and whereas wo consider the health of our members is of move importance than profit, this union recommends to its members and others not to seek employment on the Mapourika until such time as the Union Company agrees to the proposal of the union to engage an additional hand in the stokehold department, which will cost them merely an additional £12 per month in wages, and will result in ■ overcoming the present difficulty; that a committee of three, consisting* of two men off the ship and tho secretary, bo appointed to lay this resolution before tho Wellington branch manager of the company, and discuss with him the advisability of giving effect to our proposal." In accordance with this resolution; said Mr. Young, ho and the two men interviewed Mr. Kennedy, and placed the mat--1 ter before him. Mr. Kennedy declared that tho company had made up its mind not to move from its decision. Mr. Kennedy, Wellington manager of the Union Company, stated that as in consequence of the attitude adopted by the Seamen's Union they could not get firemen for the Mapourika, "they had decided to lather up indefinitely," and pay off all-the hands. This included the stewards and seamen, who were in no way concerned with tho firemen's trouble. In all 36 men were paid off the vessel yesterday. "We have' made no arrangements for replacing her in the run," said Mr. Kennedy, in replv to a question. "No doubt tho union would like verv much to see us put another boat on. for they want to get rid of the Mapourika, but we do not look upon it in that light," .'•'•