DOLLARS AND SEAMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21109, 17 February 1932, Page 8

DOLLARS AND SEAMEN.

EXCHANGE RATE DISPUTE. TROUBLE DELAYS STEAMER. PAYMENT MADE IN AMERICA. MEN CLAIM PAR VALUE. The rate of exchange between New Zealand and America has been responsible for a dispute between the crew of a cargo steamer and the shipping company. Objecting to pay the exchange on money they had received as pay when the vessel was in America, the crew of the Union Company's steamer Wairuna refused to sail last evening when the vessel was about to leave for Napier, in continuation of her voyage from America. The Wairuna arrived at Auckland from Pacific Coast ports on Saturday morning and on Monday members of the crew were paid their wages to date, as is usually done. When the Wairuna was at American ports some of the men received advances in dollars on their wages, on the understanding that the money so drawn would be at the rate of 3.45 dollars to the pound, the rate of exchange ruling at the time. When these men were paid on Monday the amount advanced to them in America was deducted from their wages, the deduction being calculated at the rate of exchange quoted. To this the men objected and claimed that the money should have been advanced fit par, 4.80 dollars. They received their wages under protest, but the matter has not been settled. The Wairuna has cargo for discharge at Napier, southern ports and Australia and she was to have resumed her voyage at five o'clock last evening. When cargo operations were completed and the vessel was about to sail the crew informed the captain that they would not take the steamer to sea until their demands were acceded to. Owing to the men's action the departure of the Wairuna was postponed until noon to-day. It is expected that a settlement of the dispute will be reached this morning.