TURN TO UNIONISM

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1935, Page 5

TURN TO UNIONISM

OFFICERS ON BRITISH SHIPS. “WILL ASSIST GOOD OWNERS.” By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright London, Sept 3. - Tlie council of officers of the Merchant Navy Federation unanimously recommend the adoption of the trade union policy as a logical result of the failure of the Government and the shipping industry to heed their reasonable representations. The report emphasises that although many individual shipowners are prepared to offer more generous conditions they are dominated by the machines formulating the policy. “Trade unionism will not endanger discipline,” the report adds, “as the British seaman is a truer supporter of discipline than the average British shipowner. Tyranny in some form, although possibly without intent, results in falsification of log books, overloading and unjustifiable claims upon underwriters. Officers serving good companies are most unlikely ever to be called on to lay up, but such officers’ support is essential, as they will be assisting good owners in the contest against cheese parers and depressers of freight fates.” The federation’s Parliamentary committee, including Lord Howe, Mr. P. J. H. Hannon and Lieut.-Colonel J. T. MooreBrabazon, support the policy, which federated organisations overseas, including Australia and New Zealand have accepted.