PERRY SERVICE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16307, 23 December 1920, Page 8

PERRY SERVICE.

SCENES ON THE WHARF.

An unusually largo crowd gathered ou tho wharf last evening to witness the preparations for the departure of the Maori. Many people made the journey from Christchurch to farewell their friends, but most of those present were local residents and those interested in shipping. Amongst the crowd ware a number of the stewards who signed off the rw'ssel yesterday. The Maori did not get away without sign of trouble, as the stokehold hands, believing there was no cook ou board, threatened to go on shore, A consultation was held between their representatives, Captain B. Irwin, the master of tho Maori, Mr W. IS, Cunningham, tho Lyttelton manager for the Union Steam Ship Company, and a delegate from the Seamen’s Union. After it was proved to the firemen that a cook was actually ou the ship, the vessel cast off at 8.30 p.m., about the same time as tho loading of baggage and mails was completed. There were 700 passengers on board, many going to Auckland to watch the La vis Cup matches. Considerable excitement prevailed among the passengers regarding the possibility of the terry steamer not being able "to leave, and great relief was felt when all doubts were set at rest. ,

Besides tho twenty-eight stewards, pantrymen and scullerymen who signed off yesterday, savi« firemen and trimmers also left the ship, but this action had no connection with the stewards’ dispute, such signings off being usual on each trip. Other men to replace them wero secured, the ship, however, leaving with one fireman and ono trimmer short. About half tho usual complement of stewards wero on board, thus the passengers would be left to help themselves more than is customary.

THE WAHINE,

NO NOTICES GIVEN YET

POSSIBILITY OF TROUBLE SPREADING. [Per Press Association’,] WELLINGTON, December 22. So far the men on the Wahine, tho other ferry boat, have not yet given notice., but it is reported that they will do go, probably in Lyttelton to-morrow, iho notice would then expire in Wellington tho following day. Ihero is no indication as yet that cooks and stewards on other vessels running on tho New Zealand coast will givo notice to leave their ships, but that tuey will do so sooner or later appears to be inevitable. Every boat employs cooks, and several others have both cooks and stewards. All these will probably be involved should the companies attempt to run the boats without extra cooks or stewards.

The cooks and stewards are making a # dqub.e-barrelled claim upon the shipping companies. In the first place tliey are demanding n bonus of £2 per month, and their application for a bonus is now before the Arbitration yourt. The case was heard nearly a fortnight ngo, and so far judgment has noi been filed. It is understood that judgment will not bo filed for a day or so yet. The second claim is for an eight-hpur day, thus bringing New Zealand stewards into line with those in ■Australia, who are now boldine uo snipping there. '*

- . , , Later. It was persistently rumoured to-day that half _ a dozen of the stewards on the Wahine were giving notice, but a few minutes before the vessel sailed ®ihngton to-night, Mr Kennedy (Wellington manager for tho Union Company) went aboard and returned with the information that none of the notices had yet come to hand. The men who were Said to be giving notice were Lyttelton men, and if they gave notice just after tho vessel drew away from the wharf, the requisite period of twen-ty-four hours would expire before the ship began its return trip The majority of tho "Wahine’s men. it is stated, belong to Wellington, and if they were leaving the vessel it would suit them best to givo notice at Lyttelton in the morning.

The statement has been made that in addition to the bonus, the men are asking for an eight-hour day, but Mr Kennedy said to-day that "he knew of no demand except that made for the bonus.

SEAMEN AND FIREMEN.

INSTRUCTED TO TAKE NO ACTION

AT PRESENT. [Per Press' Association.) Wellington, December 22. Interest will centre in am- action which tbe Seamen's Federation may take. The seamen have been instructed not to take any action whatever at present. If the boats are run minus cooks and stewards the scar-en and firemen are to man them ponding further instructions from headquarters.

WTLL RUN THE SHIPS.

SEAMEN REMAIN ALOOF FROM DISPUTE. ~ WELLINGTON, December 22. The Union Company is very' hopeful of carrying on tlfe usual service, even if all the cooks and stewards on the uahiue follow the lead given by their co-unionists on the Maori.

" Wo are' going to run the ships,” stated Air W. T. Young (secretary of the Seamen’s Union), when asked what attitude tho members of his union proposed t/> admit towards the cooks’ and stewards’ dispute with the employers. Mr Young remarked that the cooks and stewards were not affiliated with the Transport Workers’ Federation, and the Seamen’s Union, which was affiliated, had no intention of involving tlio

■ n oration in an e 'raucous Tho seumon and firemen on tho Maori, Wahino and other coastal vessels had received written instructions from the union to hold themselves aloof until otherwise instructed by the union.

THE MAORI S PASSENGERS. NOT INCONVENIENCED. WAHINE WILL LEAVE WELLJNG- . TON TO-NIGHT. [Per Prkss Association.] WELLINGTON, December 23. Passengers who arrived by the Maori state’ that they experienced no inconvenience owing to the lack of stewards. They had '■aHv morning, tea and a light breakfast. " *, The \,iuu..c will sail to-night, but passengers will have to shift for themselves. The Arahnra’s trip to Lyttelton on Frida* is abandoned. EMERGENCY MAILS. GOVERNS!ENT STEAMERS MAY RUN. The possibility ot a stoppage of the ferry steamers was considered by the Progress League yesterday, and Mr P. R. Climio stated that, a through mail service to Picton, using fast motorboats for the run across the Strait, could be organised in a few hours. Word was received, however, that any emergency service would most likely be between Lyttelton and Wellington. , The Progress League’s service, however. still available. The Chief Postmaster (Mr Kelly) was asked yesterday if any arrangements had been made for an emergency interisland service. Ho replied that he had hud no advice on the subject, but anv arrangements would lie made from Wellington. Possibly Government steamers would lie put into the Kcrvico,