FREE LABOUR

Southland Times, Issue 22008, 6 May 1933, Page 6

FREE LABOUR

OWNERS’DECISION THE SHIPPING DISPUTE A SERIOUS INCIDENT VOLUNTEERS ATTACKED (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 5. The most important development today in the maritime dispute was the decision of the shipowners to engage volunteer labour for the vessels. The Union Steam Ship Company called for labour to man the Maunganui and were successful, it is understood, in obtaining a full crew. The Maunganui leaves at 10 a.m. to-mor-row. Included in the passengers will be those who booked by the Monowai. Northern passengers will arrive in Wellington by the Limited to-morrow. In response to the call for volunteer labour between 20 and 30 men early presented themselves for engagement. These included University students, men out of work and returned soldiers. Those applying were signed on and told to report for duty at 2 p.m. No sign of interference from the affected parties was apparent until the volunteers commenced to arrive at the Clyde Quay wharf in the afternoon. A crowd of several hundred people congregated in the vicinity of the entrance to the wharf, to which berth the Maunganui had been moored earlier. The most serious aspect of the dispute occurred about mid-day, when two volunteer seamen, after being signed on, were making their way by foot towards the city and were violently assaulted by about a dozen men, who had left a large group surrounding the wharf entrance. Both men were vigorously manhandled, but their assailants soon desisted. Precautions Taken. Every precaution was taken by the Union Company and the police to ensure the safety of the crew which is to take tile Maunganui to sea. Members of the crew arrived by taxi, each car being followed by another carrying constables. There was some jeering and the crowd dispersed at nightfall. The Picton ferry will be resumed tomorrow, the Tamahine leaving at 9 a.m. for Picton and returning to Wellington to-morrow night. The waterside workers handled the cargo of all vessels requiring labour. The cargo ships Poolta, Wainui and Waimarino completed discharge and were moved into the stream. The only vessels to leave port today were the Rangatira, thd motor ship Gael and the auxiliary scows Kohi and Talisman. The Rangatira was an hour late in leaving, due to an extra amount of cargo being handled. A meeting of the Alliance of Labour was held this morning, but no statement was made available. Government Watching. The Government has not taken steps to intervene in the dispute, but a very close watch is being kept. The Government has made itself conversant with both sides of the case. Following a fully attended meeting of shipowners this morning a statement was issued to the Press, which after setting out the position leading up to the present position, says the shipowners intend to engage labour for manning ships on the condition agreed upon with the union executive, but including a five per cent, reduction on the rates ruling up to the end of last month. The rates for the proposed scale compared with Australian rates are: Boatswain: 1930, £l5 4/—, less 15 per cent., £l3 15/6; Australian rate, £l2 14/3. A. 8.: 1930, £l5 4/-, less 15 per cent., £l2 15/6; Australian rate, £ll 16/3. Ordinary seamen: 1930, £lO 9/-, less 15 per cent., £3 17/6: Australian rate, £7 8/6. Firemen: 1930, £l7 4/-, less 15 per cent., £l4 15/6; Australin rate, £l3 12/3. Trimmer: 1930, £l5 4/-, less 15 per cent., £l2 15/6; Australian rate, £ll 16/3. It is to be noted that in addition to these rates seamen are “found” aboard ship. The crews of all vessels will be paid off as the vessels reach home ports or convenient main ports, and thereafter, fresh crews will be engaged on the new conditions and at the foregoing rates of pay. In the case of vessels which are now in ports other than their home ports, a proposal has been made to the union that the vessel should proceed direct to its home port under the conditions ruling prior to May 1 and should there be paid off. EXTENSION TO AUCKLAND WINGATUI NOT MANNED. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, May 5. The extension of the shipping strike to Auckland was confirmed by a meeting of the Auckland branch of the Federated Seamen’s Union to-day. No official announcement was made after the meeting, but it is learned that the decision of the men was to man the ships only under the conditions which were in force prior to May 1. The members of the Auckland Union said that according to their advice their representative at the meeting in Wellington had not been denied a hearing, as stated in the Press Association telegram, but, on the contrary, had been listened to attentively. Mr T. F. Anderson, secretary of the Auckland branch, left by train tonight for Wellington. In accordance with the men’s decision the Wingatui was not manned and late to-night she was still lying at the wharf, waiting for a crew to take her to Portland. The only other' coastal vessel in Auckland apart from those owned by the Northern Shipping Company, engaged on New Zealand articles is the Paua, which is loading at the Eastern Wharf. All the Northern Company’s vessels scheduled to sail to-day got away at their appointed time. The seamen engaged on these vessels work under slightl; different conditions from those employed on the other coastal vessels. Intending passengers for Sydney have been notified to keep in touch with the local shipping office, pending arrangements being finalized for a special train to Wellington this afternoon to connect with the steamer from Wellington. . MAORI SAILS POLICE REINFORCEMENTS PRESENT. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, May 5. The crews of the Waikouaiti and the Waikawa to-day refused the owners’

money. offer of reduced pay and were all given 24 hours notice. The crew of the Holmglen also refused the terms and left the ship. Eventually the vessel sailed staffed only by officers and engineers. The ferry steamer Maori sailed at the scheduled time. The authorities evidently were uneasy about the ferry steamer, because police reinforcements from the city were on duty at the wharves. It is stated that the Union Company had a complete relief crew ready to go on board the Maori in the event of trouble. STEAMER TEES CREW AFFECTED. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, May 5. The position in regard to the Waipiata and the Storm is unchanged and the crews of both vessels weie paid off. A further development to-day was that the steamer Tees which arrived this afternoon from Wellington, was held up as the crew advised the local agents that they would not take the vessel to sea. ESSENTIAL SERVICE RUNNING OF ARAHURA. VESSEL SAILS. (Per United Press Association.) Nelson, May 5. The Arahura arrived at 10.10 this morning after a 12) hours’ trip from Wellington with a volunteer crew. Just before sailing the stewards and cooks walked off, and the 185 passengers had to fend for themselves. Acting on instructions from Wellington, the local watersiders refused to work the vessel and her unloading proceeded by the shore staff. The company is concentrating its energies on maintaining this vessel in commission on the Wellington-Nelson run as it is an essential public service. The Arahura sailed in the evening with a full complement of passengers, including a large number of northern pupils of the Nelson College, returning for the holidays. TROUBLE AT GREYMOUTH CREW REFUSES DUTY. « (Per United Press Association.) Greymoufh, May 5 Shipping trouble is developing at Greymouth. The crew of the Kartigi informed the master that they would net take the ship to sea unless instructed to do so by the Seamen’s Union. On the Kaimiro, which arrived this morning and is due to sail on Sunday, a similar men’s action is expected. VESSELS TIED Up POSITION AT WESTPORT. (Per United Press Association.) Westport, May 5. As a sequel to a meeting of seamen held at Westport to-night, the Kini, Canopus and Totara are all held up. The Waipahi is due from Auckland tomorrow and is also expected to be rendered idle.