THREATENED DIFFICULTY WITH THE A.S.N. COMPANY’S SEAMEN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5562, 25 January 1879, Page 3

THREATENED DIFFICULTY WITH THE A.S.N. COMPANY’S SEAMEN.

(From the Sydney Mail of the 11th.) On the sth instant, a hitch occurred at Sydney between the A.S.N. Company and same of their seamen, and though the matter was for the time arranged it is likely to appear in another form to-day, and may assume a serious aspect. The origin of the threatened difficulty lies in the question whether certain of the men who deserted from the steamers on the 18th November last should be paid the wao-es due to them up to that date. It will be remembered that according to the agreement which brought the strike to an end the men were to return to the company’s service, so far as practicable, and, in consideration of this, the company were to pay the wages due to the men up to the 18th November. In the case of the City of Adelaide steamer a new crew was shipped yesterday under fresh articles, the old ones having expired; but three of the original crew refused to rejoin the ship. These three men, the company considered, put themselves by their refusal to return to their ship outside the terms of the agreement entered into last Thursday night, and, consequently, were not entitled to receive their back wages. But the men considered they were entitled to the wages due to them when they left the ship, and in this opinion they were supported by those of the City of Adelaide’s original crew who had rejoined the vessel, and, apparently, by the Seamen’s Union. The matter was brought to a point yesterday afternoon, when the City of Adelaide being about to leave the company’s wharf with passengers and cargo for Melbourne, the crew walked aft in a body and refused to proceed to sea unless the wages of the three men in dispute were paid. Mr. G. R. Dibbs could not be found at the moment, and to enable the ship to get to sea the manager of the company (Captain Trouton) undertook that the three men should be paid. So far, therefore, the difficulty was settled; but as there are other men who havb refused, or do not intend to return to the company’s service, and in whose behalf a claim will doubtless be made for back pay, the question whether the company are going to submit to any further demand of this kind will be brought before the ordinary meeting of the board of directors, at their first meeting, for consideration.