SEAMEN’S FOOD

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11660, 26 October 1923, Page 2

SEAMEN’S FOOD

ON U.S.S. CO.’S SHIPS. IS GOOD FOOD SPOILT BY BAD COOKS? MR W. T., YOUNG'S VIEW. During the hearing, of the seamen’s dispute at the Conciliation Council yesterday morning, before the Commissioner (Mr VV. Newton), Mr W. G. Smith (repiesenting the Union Co.) said that the Arbitration Court only allowed the shipping companies 10s a week for the food supplied to ‘the men, whereas it cost them quite Jil a week. They, therefore, thought that they were entitled to a corresponding reduction in wages. Captain Peterson (employers' assessor) claimed that the men were supplied with good food by tho companies. Mr W. T. Young (secretary to the Seaqien's Union): I give you the credit for that; but I can't give the Union Co. the credit. Mr Smith; Why not? Mr Young; I grant that the food is put in the Union Co.’s ships all right, but the men don't get it all right. Air Smith: What arc you alleging? Mr Young: I am alleging that in many, many cases good food is spoilt in tb.e cooking. Mr Smith: We shall have to put that to the cooks and stewards to-morrow. They will say that they are perfectly good cooks—the best cooks going. Captain Petersen j How would you like the system on some lines at Home, thoso trading to the Baltic, for instance, where the men are paid 60 much a month and find themselves? Mr Anderson (seamen's assessor): It works out all right in some case, where tho voyages are short, but not where they are long.