MORE MEN IMPRISONED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19144, 9 October 1925, Page 8

MORE MEN IMPRISONED.

HUNDRED FROM TWO SHIPS. TERM OF ONE MONTH EACH. SENTENCE TAKEN CHEERFULLY. CHORUS SUNG ON DEPARTURE. Fifty-one seamen from the steamer Matakana and 56 from the Waimana pleaded guilty in the Police Court yesterday to combining to disobey lawful commands or to neglect duty, and were sentenced to one month's imprisonment. The men seemed to treat the proceedings lightly and the sentence was hailed with a marked demonstration of joy. The men from the Matakana were dealt with first. Sergeant Flannigan had great difficulty in mustering the accused into the body of the Court, the roll call being interrupted by "cat-calls" and jokes. When one seaman, did not answer to his name someone remarked that he was in Moscow. " How's she going, Joe," inquired one of the seamen at the back of the Court of a comrade in front. "Bight here, sergeant," said another, in answer to his name.

Mr. R. McYeagh, for the shipping company, said the charges were brought under the Merchant Shipping Act. On September 7 and 3 the men declined to take the ship to sea when requested by the master. Under the section there was no alternative but imprisonment for such an offence. *" I state in public t!iat if the men are now willing to take the ships to sea the case shall be adjourned and the charges struck out when they leave," Mr. McVeagh said. " Working for nothing." " Under the section I have no alternative but to impose imprisonment," said the magistrate, Mr. Cutten, in addressing' the men. I am loath to do that. It is for you to decide which course you will take^" " I would rstbe;r go to gaol than accept the terms," said a seaman. " What battle-ground have we on which to settle the dispute ?" The Magistrate: I am not able to express views on the question. All I am concerned with is that you are committing a breach of the law. Is it not possible to settle your dispute where it started ? " The owners recognise no laws, and how can we be expected to f* the seaman replied. " We are not getting a living wage lor our wives and children," declared another man. "It is ridiculous to work under these conditions." He asked the magistrate if he woald work for practically nothing. The Magistrate: I often do that. "Put My Name Dowa For GaaL n Another seaman suggested an adjournment to allow their representatives to meet the masters and officers to try to come to some arrangement. Hie Magistrate: If you decade to take your ships back Home you can settle the dispute 'in the proper manner. Nothing can be gained here. " Surely, when a man fights for his country, he is entitled to fight for himself in time of peace," remarked another j man. " I am a Bijtiish citizen, but do not want to he ground down."* The Magistrate: You claim to be a patriot. If you are you should take this with true British philosophy and have it I settled in the constitutional manner. Mr. McVeagh said he had been advised not to agTee to an adjournment. The owners had been farced into the present position. He was sorry the proposals of the seamen were couched in the terms presented to the Prime Minister. "New Zealand is a piece of the Union Jack and we should be able to fight our case here," exclaimed a young seaman. " You can put my name down for gaoL" The magistrate, saying he had no alternative, convicted the accused and sentenced them to one month's imprisonment. There were shouts of " Hear, hear," and much clapping. Caee of Trimmer Adjourned. When the men of the Waimana were being charged, E. J. Cooper, a trimmer, j pleaded not guilty. He said he did noi ] combine with the crew. Captain Andrews, master of the Waimana, said that at the time he spoke to the crew accused was absent. When he returned he was ordered to raise steam on the boilers, but refused to, "You asked me if I was prepared to take the ship to sea," said accused. " I could not work the ship myself, could I ? 1 was in an awkward position because the rest of the men had refused duty. I made an agreement with the company and intend to stick to it, My word is my bond." " I do not know whether this man signed on colonial or British articles, but if he signed on British articles he is a ' scab,' " said one of the seamen. "I : myself would rather die than go back under present conditions. Mr. McYeagh said that if Cooper was prepared to take the ship to sea with others he was prepared to accept an sojournment in his case. The case was accordingly adjourned until October 15. The remainder of the crew received one month's imprisonment. The conveyance of the prisoners to Mount Eden gaol was ari involved business, the police-vans having to make seven trips. As the men were led from the Court they were cheered by a large gathering of seamen from other ships. The prisoners themselves joined in merry choruses and the prospect of a month in gaol seemed to please them. One lot sang the following chorus as they moved off:—• We are hale arid hearty. Don't break up the party; "We'll nil meet together, Under the garden wall. GUARDING THE WHARVES. GATES CLOSED AT SUNSET. The appearance of .the wharves list evening was reminiscent of the days in 1913 when action was taken by means of barbed-wire barricades to keep the waterfront clear. Steps were taken to prevent unauthorised persons from gaining access. Shortly after sunset every gate was closed, providing an effective barrier to the whole of the waterfront occupied by overseas vessels. Pickets of Harbour Board officials were stationed at each wharf entrance. An addition to the vessels in port whose crews are on British articles was made by the arrival of the Port Nicholson. which berthed at Prince's Wharf to unload cargo from Middlesbororgh and London. As was the case with the Athenic, now anchored in the stream, the crew signed the articles after the trouble had commenced in Englan3,