REFUSAL TO SAIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23011, 12 April 1938, Page 12

REFUSAL TO SAIL

CREW OF STEAMER TEES OBJECTION TO SECOND MATE [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday Objecting to sailing with a second mate signed on to-day, the crew of the steamer Tees refused to take the vessel to sea and her departure for the Chatham Islands was therefore postponed. _ , . To fill a sudden vacancy Captain Allsop signed on the licensee of a local hotel, formerly a master mariner, as second mate. When sailing time arrived the men told the captain they would not sail with the new second mate and the ship was tied up for the night. It is stated that the dispute has really nothing to do with the ship, but is a sequel to a Court case held at Lyttelton a few weeks ago. In this ease the Labour Department proceeded against the licensee for alleged underpayment of an employee. The case was defended and resulted in a verdict in favour of the licensee. Local seamen interested themselves in the case and it is said to have been placed before the Federation of Labour. The Tees had a large number of passengers returning to the islands n.iid also stores and a largo amount of mail. The passengers were not permitted to remain aboard and had to seek accommodation ashore for the night. An endeavour will be made to despatch the Tees to-morrow, but it may be Wednesday before she sails.