VESSELS LAID UP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8329, 15 January 1913, Page 7

VESSELS LAID UP

FIREMEN WON’T WORK MAPOURIKA OUT OF RUNNING INDEFINITELY. CREW PAID OFF. ytdvice which was given yesterday by the “Now Zealand Times” to intending passengers to tho West Coast has proved to be quite sound in every particular. Anyone who wishes now to reach tho coast must either travel via Chrhitehurch or wait for tho "| rahu ™ at tho end of the week, for the Marpounika has been taken off the run, and is- to lay up indefinitely. As forecasted by tho secretary of the SoanvMii’s Union, no men could be obtained. to form the. vessels stokehold crew jicEtcrday morning, and the Umoa Company was lorcod to pay off all the other 1 lands, as there was no chance Ol getting; tho ship to sea. The MfP° urika wits taken to her usual berth at Jervois' quay early in tho morning, in tho hope that she might bo got away, but bef ore midday tho ‘ blue peter was hauQed down, and work came to a standstill.

WOUIkD WORK OTHER BOATS. It was ascertained in the afternoon by a “Now Zealand Times” representative that ithe Seamen’s Union would not make any trouble or objection if the Union Company were to put another boat on -.'the run to replace the Mapourika. The secretary, Mr Young, said that isho only objection was to the heavy work imposed on tho Maponrika’a firemen on the existing staffing scale. If tho company put on Te Anau or scone other boat it would get a crew all right. No trouble need be anticipated in connection with the Arahnra, which was regarded by the men os a good iJilp. She earned six firemen, three trimmers, and three greasers, on exactly tho same running as tho Mapourika with her weaker stokehold crew. The company made a great point about the Mapourika being at sea for only sixty-six hours per week, and being on© of the best ships out of tho port for local men. As a matter of fact, local men would not go in her. What the comjjany had been picking up lately in the shape of firemen were merely derelicts who went into the vessel for a trip and left her as soon as ever they could- The Arahura was at sea for ten hours less per week than the Mapourika, And was a much batter ship for local men. Many other vessels were mentioned as being better to work in than tbio Mapourika from all points of view. < MEN SUPPOIETED BY UNION.

The whole matter was discussed at a meeting of the Wellington Seamen’s Union, which paused the following resolution :

Whereas the Mapourika has become too heavy a ship for one fireman on watch, and whereas we consider the health of our members is of more importance than profit, this union recommends to its members and others not to seek employment on the Mapourika till such time as the Union Company agrees to the reasonable propositi of the union to engage an additional hand in the stokehold department, which will cost them merely an additional £l2 per month in wages, and will result in overcoming the prebent difficulty. That a committdo of three, consisting of two men paid off the ship to-day and the secretary, be appointed to lay this resolution before the Wellington branch manager of the company and discuss with him the advisability of giving effect to our proposal. COMPANY’S MIND MADE UP. In accordance with this resolution, said Mr Young, ho and the two pen interviewed Mr Kennedy , yesterday morning and placed the matter before him. Mr Kennedy declared that the company had made up its mind not to move from its decision. Prom what was said it was clear to thye union’s representatives that the company Imd dealt with the matter befoiro the union had an opportunity of considering it, and before any arguments had been heard. NO OTHER ARRANGEMENTS MADE.

Mr Kennedy, Wellington manager of the company, informed the “ Times ” man that as in consequence of the attitude adopted by the Seamen’s Union they could not get firemen for the Mapourika, they had decided to lay her up indefinitely, and pay off ail hands. This included the stewards and seamen, who wore in no way concerned with the firemen’s trouble. La all thirty-six men were paid off tie vessel yesterday. ‘ “We have made no arrangements for replacing her in the run,” said Mr Kennedy, in reply to a question. “No doubt the union would uko very much to see us put another boat on, for they want to got rid of the Mapourika, but wo do not look upon it in that light.”