WORKLESS SEAMEN SEND DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18396, 24 February 1928, Page 7

WORKLESS SEAMEN SEND DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

EIGHT HUNDRED MEN NOW UNEMPLOYED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 23. Representatives of seamen, stewards and ships’ officers combined in a deputation to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Marine (the Hon G. J. Anderson) on the serious position caused through unemployment. It was suggested that if New Zealand sailors were employed in the transit of phosphate from Nauru, three steamers with total crews of 144 would be required, instead of which in the past year four different nationalities, including twenty-seven English vessels. mainly employing Asiatics, were used. The deputation considered it very unfair in view of the Government’s appeal to farmers to employ labour, that 75,000 tons of Government coal were imported in Australian steamers. This could have employed four vessels for eight months. One steamer was laid up in Auckland yesterday owing to lack of freight, and another was paid off in Wellington. WORKLESS SEAMEN TOTAL 800. Captain M’lndoe declared that members of the Merchant Service Guild were in the same plight as the seamen. There had never been so bad a position for twelve years. He had seen a master mariner labouring on a Wellington building. It was stated that 238 cooks and stewards were unemployed in New Zealand, and 700 to 800 seamen. The Prime Minister declared that the Government -was very concerned with the seamen’s welfare. Its policy was to use New Zealand coal wherever possible. It was incorrect to say that 150,000 tons were being brought from Australia. The actual contract was for 37,500 tons. He was screwing the railways down to a minimum on which they could work. If tenders were called they were not called for fun, but to test value. The deputation would.be very critical if it found that the Gov-

ernment let a contract on the basis of the highest price. A member of the deputation: It isn’t good politics. Mr Coates: It is pretty dangerous to , get away from that principle. OPEN UP NEW AVENUES. The Government, continued Mr Coates, had already indicated to coal contractors that if New Zealand ships could be arranged for it was desirable, and they were prepared to withdraw their ships if New Zealand shipowners accepted a reasonable rate for freight, j As for Nauru, the agreement enabled New Zealand to get 16 per cent of the . output, and the whole control was in . the Commission’s hands. New Zealand [ had no legislative authority, but the Government asked the Commission to I give New Zealand ships the opporp tunity of getting info that tradq. It . could not go further. These contracts were unusual. He hoped that it would . be possible to open up new avenues, . which would require more tonnage. “We want another war, and they will make heroes of you,” declared a dis- ’ satisfied member of the deputation to . his colleagues.