COASTAL CREWS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11303, 31 August 1922, Page 2

COASTAL CREWS

CONDITIONS ANB PAY SEAMEN'S AND FIREMEN'S DISPUTE CONTINUED. UNION'S CASE OPENED. Tlie conditions of stokehold and en-gine-room crews in the New Zealand coastal shipping trade were further investigated by the Arbitration Court yesterday, when the hearing of the seamen's dispute was continued. The court comprised His Honour Mr Justice Erazer (president), and Messrs W. Scott and M. J. Reardon, as assessor© for the employers and employees respectively. Mr W. G Smith appeared for the Union Company, Mr T. O. Bishop for the Shipowners' Federation, and Mr W. T. Youngfor the Federated Seamen's Union. The cross-examination was continued of Captain A. W. Bold, master of the Komata, who replied, to questions asked by Mr Young concerning the minor clauses of the claims and counterclaims. GENERAL TRAFFIC MANAGER'S EVIDENCE. Norris S. Falla', general traffic manager of the Union Steamship Company, was the next, witness examined. Mr W. G/ Smith: Can you tell the court what the .position, of the company’s trade is—is it slack or otherwise?—At the present time it is very 6lack. Are there many ships laid up? —At the present time, ©peaking from memory, 24. Ships that you cannot find employment for?—Yes; it is impossible to find employment for steamers at the present time as far as we can ascertain. Of the ships that are .running, are many of them getting full cargoes or only part cargoes P—'That varies in different services. In general, the steamera that are engaged on time-table service© are unable to obtain sufficient cargo to fill them. . , There are other ships running m part cargoes?—Yes. Have you had any requests from merchant© and traders in regard to reductions in freight?—Yes; we have been waited on during the last month ot two bv a number or deputations and individuals 'pressing for reductions. They have made representation© to you that if the freights were Tednoed it would improve business?—They have said You have no reason to doubt that statement?—No; I think their contention in many cases is reasonable The company is not in a position to reduce freights unless it can get its running costs down?—Yes. There is no margin at present ?—Speaking generally, no. With regard to the effect of competition on the company's trade, is some of the trade being held at a loss? —Yes; steamers engaged in several trades are being run at a loss.' Witness said there wore certain, tradea in which the company had been unable to engage tonnage by Teason of competitive rates, which the company were not able to meet owing to the running cost© under present conditions. It has been stated here that the company has a monopoly of the KaiparaAustralian trade; is that correct?—The few calls we make at Kaipara are to discharge coal. Hi© Honour! I suppose there is some kauri left?—l am not aware of any timber export from Kaipara, but the Lamb steamers and others still trade from Hokianga to Australia. AN UNANSWERED QUESTION. Mr Young: Can you tell us the position of the Dunedin-Lyttelton-East Coaei and Auckland trade? Mr W. G. Smith: While the witnese is prepared, if the court desires it, to give any information to the court in confidence, I submit that under section 183 of the original. Act, he must not disclose details of the company© business. His Honour: I© there anv objection to the company giving that information? Mr W. G. Smith: If such information is disclosed it might be a direct incentive, or otherwise, to our competitors coming into the trad©. Mr Young: My Question is a simple one. lam not much concerned whethei the company answers it or not. His Honour: The company i© entitled, under the Act, to make the objection that has been raised. Mr Young: Very well, I will not press the point (T*» witness!: How many of the company's ships are laid up now? —Twenty-four. Witness gave the names of tbe vessels. He also said that the company had disposed of the Wei-lington-Nelson trade, and the vessel formerly employed in that trade was now idle, Mr Young: Most of the ships laid up are old vessels?—l do not know the proportion; many of them are old vessels. Are you not trying to get rid of those 6hips, in order to acquire more modern ships, and ships of greater carrying capacity?—l cannot answer that question precisely. Witness said he thought, roughly speaking, the tonnage of the company's fleet was about the same as it was in 1914, After further questions, Mr Young asked; If a company made a -profit of «£93,000 in the course of twelve months, would it not seem practicable to make a reduction in fares and freighto without encroaching upon the men's wages? Witness: I have no opinion to express upon that. George Howard Norman, employed in the office of the Union Company, gave evidence as to the accuracy of returns produced in regard to wages and overtime UNION CASE COMMENCED. Mr Smith thereupon closed his case In view of the length of the proceedings he would not call his remaining witnesses, but he would reserve the right to reply to the union at a later stage. Mr Young proceeded to address the : court at great length, tracing the conditions of »earaen since the 1912 award. He intimated that he would present his case, which occupies 51 typewritten foolscap sheets, to the court on the r&sunyrtion this morning.