FREMEN REFUSE DUTY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 270, 18 December 1914, Page 8

FREMEN REFUSE DUTY.

STOKEHOLD TROUBLE, INTERCOLONIAL STEAMER DELAYED. Instead of arriving at Lytteltcm about t> a.m. yesterday, this week's Sydney boat, tho Huddart Parker Company's Ulimaroa, did not get into port until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. About 10.30 yesterday morning the steamer was reported 18 miles oil Godley Head and coming slowly, and an hour later wireless communication was received from the captain that he would get in about 3 o'clock. No mention was- made as to the cause of the delay, though it was generally accepted that such was caused by some mishap to her machinery. When the Ulimaroa got alongside the wharf, however, it was ascertained that nothing whatever was wrong with the machinery, but that the. trouble was due to the firemen refusing duty. Captain Wylie, the master, when questioned by a reporter, merely said that the firemen had been troublesome. No official information as to the situation is available, but certain facts regarding the vessel's prolonged voyage were gleaned by a Sun reporter from various sources.

At Wellington, it seems, two trimmers deserted from the ship, and though all efforts were made to replace them, they were unsuccessful. Under the circumstances the Ulimaroa left for Lyttelton carrying two trimmers less than she usually had, though actually more than the complement as required by the Board of trade. The position had been explained to the firemen, who agreed to work the ship to Lyttelton on the understanding, that the shortage would be made up at that port. TROUBLE BEGINS. Scarcely had the steamer got outside the Heads at Wellington, however, before the firemen objected to fire unless two "properly qualified trimmers" were engaged. This meant/ of course, putting back to Wellington. In" the face of the agreement previously come to the action of the firemen seemed, most extraordinary, but the theory come to is that the trimmers were at the bottom of the trouble and induced the firemen to come into it. Be that as it may, the fact remains that firemen and trimmers refused to turn-to. They were willing to take the vessel back to Wellington, but refused point-blank to go on to Lyttelton. ■ The seriousness of their action and what it would involve was pointed out to the men, but all efforts were in vain. "The officers were unable to arrive at a compromise in any shape or form. The services of two sailors as trimmers were offered, but "two properly qualified trimmers '' only would satisfy the demands of the men in the stokehold.

OFFICERS TURN-TO. With the firemen thus refusing duty, the only way to work the ship was.to get others to take their places as far as Lyttelton. The sailors, it is said, would have gone willingly enough,, but they feared reprisals by the firemen. Volunteers were called for and at different stages the chief, second, and third officers, the purser and his assistant, the chief steward, and the wireless operator were toiling at an unaccustomed task in an endeavour to aid the engineers and keep steam up. The engineers themselves were working , long shifts. Several times the firemen were approached and asked to resume work, but always a negative response was given. The trimmers, it was pointed out, would receive overtime if extra work devolved on them. Even-when almost up to the Heads at Lyttelton the men said they would work if -the ship were turned about for

Wellington, but. work into Lyttelton they would not. Of course, having como that far the officers had. no intention of giving up.

It is understood that no molestation was offered to the officers while engaged in the stokehold, though dark hints arc believed to have been thrown out about what would follow. The Ulimaroa eventually passed through the moles, shortly before two o 'clock r and was soon berthed at the ferry wharf. Ob this occasion the vessel had not a large inward and outward cargo to work, and in spite of her late arrival, by 9 p.m. she was ready to sail again. But the engineers and officers were too exhausted by their long, enforced spell of duty that, to give them much-needed rest, her departure was postponed until 6 o'clock this morning. To cope with the demands of the men every effort was made to secure the two necessary trimmers, only one could be procured. The men, however, went back to their work yesterday afternoon, and, as far as is known, the ship was still one trimmer short when she left this" morning.

As to the course of action likely to be. adopted by the company, no idea ean be gained, but it cannot be gainsaid that unless stringent measures are taken to prevent the recurrence of a similar happening a most*crious position could arise. The Ulimaroa should have, in accordance with her time-table, sailed from Wellington for 'Sydney' this afternoon, reaching the New South Wales port in time to connect with Home-going mail steamers. Whether she will be able to do so is problematical. If she fails, of course her'mails from Wellington will miss the Home boat, and, it is believed, so will several passengers. Undoubtedly the situation calls for firm handling.