ALIENS IN SHIP'S CREW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16914, 29 July 1918, Page 4

ALIENS IN SHIP'S CREW.

COMPLAINT TO AUTHORITIES

OWNER'S ANSWER TO GUILD.

Indignation has been expressed by seamen in Auckland at tho personnel of the crew of the Auckland-owned schooner Lyman D. Foster. On Friday the local branch of the Merchant Service Guild telegraphed to the Hon. T. M. Wilford, Minister for Marine, and to Captain Hall Thompson, naval advieor to the New Zealand Government, stating that, the official manning ecale of the schooner was one master, two mates, eight A.B.'s, and one ordinary seaman. At present the master was a Swede, and the second mate and all seamen were aliens, with the exception of the cook. "Do yoa think it advisable," asked tho guild, " that a first mate who is a British subject should join the vessel or that she should be cleared with such a big majority o! aliens!" Replies to the telegram were received on Saturday. Captain Hall Thompson stated that there was no objection provided all the aliens on board were duly licensed. The risk was on the owners of the vessel. Mr. Wilford stated that he had given instructions for inquiries to be made in the matter. Mr. G. T. Niccol, owner of the vessel, to whom the communications quoted above have been referred, stated that the master of the schooner is a Swede, who was naturalised in New Zealand over 20 years ago, and had married an Englishwoman. He is very well and favourably known, in local shipping circles, having resided in Auckland for many years. He had been engaged on vesfels, principally in the inter-colonial trade, for nearly 30 years, during about 17 years of which period he had been in command of various vessels. He had passed his examinations for mate's and master's certificates in Auckland. Mr. Niccol states that all the members of the crew have been licensed by the police after the latter had made the usual inquiries. There iB no doubt, ho says, as to the loyalty of any member of the ship's company.