STRIKE ON THE ORARI.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 10, 29 August 1914, Page 8

STRIKE ON THE ORARI.

FIREMEN ASK MORE MONEY.

I.l"fin rii-sas asbocjATiorf.j Wellington, August 28. Dissatisfied with the rate of wages which they wore receiving, 21 firemen and trimmers on the big cargosteamer Orari, which is being converted into a troopship, refused duty at about mid-day to-day, and subsequently were arrested. The vessel, which is lying at the Glasgow wharf, is from London, and the men have been receiving the Home rate of pay, which provides a remuneration of £5 10s per month for firemen. The cause of the discontent, it appears, is that men on certain other vessels, such as the Tahiti and the Maunganui, which have been taken over by the Government for transport purposes, are paid at the intercolonial rate, which is considerably higher. The Orari’s men considered that their wages should be brought into line with those obtaining on other ships utilised for the same purpose us their own has been requisitioned for. The intercolonial rate for firemen generally is £9, and for six-hour watches £lO per mouth. The men declined to turn to, failing the granting of their demand, and at about seven o’clock this evening 12 firemen and nine trimmers were arrested on a charge of refusing to obey the lawful commands of the master of the ship.