CHANGING ARTICLES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11659, 25 October 1923, Page 7

CHANGING ARTICLES

UNION COMPANY'S VESSELS

DISCUSSION AT CONCILIATION COUNCIL MEETING. MR SMITH EXPLAINS “It is a remarkable thing,” said Mr W. T. Young, Seamen’s Union secretary, at the Conciliation Council yesterday when tlie shipping dispute was •under discussion, “that while the Australian rates of pay were lower than tlioso of New Zealand the Union Company could not bring some of its vessels under the provisions or tlie New Zealand award. But now that the rates of pay here show signs of being lower than tire Australian we have the Wairuna and the Waihemo changing over to New Zealand articles, and are threatened with the Waimarino.” DOES NOT 1 APPLY. Mr IV. G. Smith (employers’ representative) : You must see that what is applicable to tho ooastal trade is not applicable to overseas trade which is of a very varied character. Mr Voung: I understand that where a ®hip has to go on to another foreign port from Australia she nui6t renew her articles. But wherever a ship goes from here, if she is on New Zealand articles, tho Australian authorities cannot interfere with her. Mr Smith: Certainly they have in certain circumstances. Because the authorities, both in New Zealand and in Australia, are the appointed agents of the Board of Trade. Mr Young: I say that they have no power to interfere if the article, are taken out in New Zealand. Mr Smith: Not ivnloss they expire. Mr Young: They haven’t then, because under our legislation the articles do not expire until the vessel returns to her final port of destination in New Zealand.

Mr Smith: Iu cases where a vessel is bound for the East the authorities may compel a oh an go of articles in order that the men may have an opportunity of saying whether or not they wish to go. You seo the voyage described in the articles would take you practically anywhere, so many degrees north and south of tho equator.