"ATTEMPTED DICTATION."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 226, 24 September 1929, Page 7

"ATTEMPTED DICTATION."

STATEMENT BY, AGENTS

STATUS OF SEAMEN'S UNION.

Interviewed to-day a representative of Messrs. Spedding, Ltd., said it was a clear case of attempted dictation. The Snamen's Union had not only actempted this, but had also intimidated the members of the crew. This attitude, in the face of the recent cry of "work, not charity," simply held the union up to ridicule. The owners had offered to man the ship with unionists, to pay them union rates of wage**, plus 25 per cent, ar:d to pay them wages on their return to Auckland and all farcH and expense back to this port. Hie union had disdained this offer, with the result that the ship was manned with non-union labour, which had been paid union rates of wages, plus 2.j per cent, this rate to apply 'until their return to Auckland. Becau.se the non-union crew was shipped, an attempt was now being made to intimidate members of the crew at Westport. It was hoped that the Government would eee justice done.

Another interesting feature of the matter was the fact that there was no

award to cover the dispute, as the union had refused to register under the Industrial Conciliation and .Arbitration Act. Tn other word-:, the union were attempting to force their ideaa on chipowners whilst they themselves were not bound by the Act.