SEAMEN SAFEGUARDED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17097, 28 February 1919, Page 5

SEAMEN SAFEGUARDED.

CREW FOR AUSTRALIA.

INSURANCE AND SICK PAZ

The danger of contracting influenza by) going to Australia has occasioned New Zealand seamen some concern. The Kaitangata, one of the Union Company's cargo steamers, left Wellington on Tuesday for Sydney, but before leaving port the seamen were safeguarded against loss of wages, and their, lives were insured for £500 against death through influenza contracted in Australia.

As a result of representations made by the Seamen's Union of New Zealand, the following clause was added to the Kaitangata's articles, to become operative while the vessel is trading to influenzastricken ports: " Notwithstanding anything m theso articles to the contrary, it is hereby agreed that financial members of the Federated Seamen's Union of New Zealand who are on these articles, are to be paid an increase of 30s per month on the present New Zealand rates. It is also agreed that in the event of any member of the above -onion who signs these articles in New Zealand or Australia contracting pneumonic influenza, and is invalided on shore at any port in Australia or New Zealand, his wages are to be continued until such period as a medical practitioner certifies that he is fit to resume work. It 13 further agreed that, in the event of the death of any said member occurring through pneumonic influenza, the sum of £500 will be paid to whom he might! authorise to receive it, or to his-depen-dants. This agreement is to remain in force while pneumonic influenza prevails in any ports in the Commonwealth of Australia at which the vessel may trade to or call at, and will automatically terminate when such ports are declared free from, epidemic b* the health officials of the various States."