JAPANESE STEAMERS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160797, 3 November 1920, Page 5

JAPANESE STEAMERS

c TROUBLE LOOMING ♦ ♦■ # TRANSPORT WORKERS MOVING, (By Telegraph—Spcohl to “Herald”), WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. The first public intimation of possible labour trouble. came to-day when at 4 , “stop work” meeting of the Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union a letter ★a® read from the Transport Worker*' Ad* visory Board stating that a communion* tion asking that undone of affiliated federations take concerted action. ■ against the employment of Japanese* owned and manned steamers in inter* colonial and intcr-State trade, had come to hand from the Australian Transport Workers’ Federation. The meeting - decided to support th® Advisory Board in any steps it deemed fit. It is understood* that the NeW Zealand transport workers, including the eeamen, have decided to take action in the hope of preventing the furthei' use’ of Japanese steamers in the New-castle-New Zealand coal trade. Two are discharging coal for the Railway Department in Wellington. As the coal was bought on the c.i.f. basis the Department did not charter the vessels, nor is it directly responsible for the payment of freight. It is contended by the Transport Federation that the employment of low-paid Japanese crews is an unfair competition against N r ’ Zealand and Australian ship-owners ani seamen.