SHIP LABOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18954, 30 August 1923, Page 9

SHIP LABOUR.

GERMAN VESSELS FACING TROUBLE, LOW RATE OF MARK CAUSES DISCONTENT. Serious labour complications, affecting German steamers now in Australian ports, are threatened as a result of the further oollepaa, in the value of the mark (says phe Melbourne.:. Age of August 22), For several days indus-, trial trobule has been browing on the GermanrAustralian line steamer Isorlohn, ; now in Melbourne. The seamen complain', that under the present rate of exchange they are working under conditions little bet-, ter than slavery, and they have appealed to the Seamen’s Union for relief. Since they signed their articles in. Hamburg the mark ■has fallen from 200,000 to the pound to - : 11,000,000, to the pound. In consequence their wage now equals only 6Jd a month ,in Australian money, and the men are unable to buy clothes, boots, or other necessaries while in Melbourne, and have to stay on the vessol all the time shen is in part. : ■'- In an effort to obtain relief," Mr C. O’Neill, vigilance officer of the Seamen’s Union, ■ has conferred with the master and local; agents for the steamer (Messrs J. Sanderson, and Co.). The agents expressed themselves in sympathy with the men, but could do no- , thing, and the master is in no better posi-. tion- than his men. Consequently Mr O’Neill intends writing to the_ superintendent of, the line in Sydey (Captain Tadsen), bringing under his notice the, hardships under which. ;' the men are suffering, and asking that condition of slavery under which the Gcr-: man seaman is working, be removed.” Union * officials hold the view that as . the .German: . shipowner is paid in British currency for his ‘ cargoes, the seamen _ should receive reasonable wages in British currency . while in British waters. Mr C. O’Neill stated that unless a satisfactory reply he promptly received he would place the matter before the industrial authorities in Australia, and would advocate that immediate steps be taken to tie up every German, vessel visiting Australia.