SEAMEN S DEMANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20126, 20 April 1928, Page 7

SEAMEN S DEMANDS

INCREASED WAGE WANTED NUMEEOUS OTHEE CONCESSIONS. I Per Press Association ] WELLINGTON, April 19. Notwithstanding the fact that ships representing a considerable tonnage are laid up in the Dominion ports owing to slackness in certain trades and that a large number of seamen are consequently unemployed l , thc New Zealand Seamen’s Union has presented lengthy demands to the New Zealand shipowners for a 44 hour week, considerable increases in wages, numerous concessions involving large increases in thc cost of operation of ships, and many privileges in respect of working conditions not covered by the existing agreement which expires qb June 30, 1928. Che seamen seek an all-round increase in wages of nearly £2 per month.

AUSTRALIAN HOLD-UP

FIVE VESSELS IDLE. (A. & N.Z.) SYDNEY, April 18. Thc Huddart-Parkcr steamer Yarra, at Newcastle, was unable to secure a cook to-day, and it is feared that she will be tied up, making five of the company’s ships under the ban. The Yarra took the Zealaudia’s place on the Hobart-Sydney run. Early this morning a fire was discovered in the bunkers of thc Zealaudia. After a hard fight the firemen controlled the outbreak. Its cause and the extent of its damage are at present unknown. Thc Huddart-Parkcr Company has given twenty-four hours’ notice to the crew of the Yarra, which will be tied up. 'The tonnage of five idle vessels belonging to the Huddard-Parker Company aggregates 22,020.