NIAGARA LEAVES SYDNEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20721, 14 November 1930, Page 11

NIAGARA LEAVES SYDNEY.

» DISPUTE WITH UNION. r 1 NEW CREW ENGAGED. 3 " SURPLUS OF APPLICANTS. L' v Bi Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 13, 11.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 13. The Niagara, the crew of which was withdrawn yesterday by the Seamen's Union, on tho grounds that the vessol had made the voyage from Auckland to Sydney with two firemen short of her complement, sailed for Auckland again this afternoon with a new crew. A crowd of more than 1000 seamen gathered outside the shipping master's office in response to the call for men and tho new crew were quickly signed on. An official of tho Union Steam Ship Company denies a statement to the effect that tho company probably would place tho ships on other articles, which 1 would exclude Australian seamen from employment because of the action of the union in disciplining 59 members of deck and engino-room staffs of the Niagara. A member of tho former crew stated to-day that for 18 years tlio ship had been over-staffed. Most of the men had served on her for years and wero well satisfied. Tho union's decision was causing dissatisfaction, as no breach of tho rules had occurred to justify it. It is understood that some of the "disciplined'' men discussed tho advisability of seeking an injunction to restrain tho union from giving effect to its decision A representative of the Union Company said it paid higher wages and had more overtime than any other lino on tho Pacific run. Yet other vessels were 6 never delayed. In shipping circles tho opinion is expressed that the root of tho trouble is the desire of unemployed seamen to oust working seamen from their positions ]t is pointed out that tlio Communist element is prominent in the ranks of the unemployed.