MARAMA HELD UP.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 9

MARAMA HELD UP.

THE RESPONSIBLE PARTY,

ALLEGATIONS BY CREW.

(by CABLE—rBRSS ASSOCIATION —COrTBIOHT.) (AUSTBALIAS AJfD X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

SYDNEY, April 20,

The steamer Yolumnia left, Sydney secretly for a port- unknown, presumably Fremantle. as the vessel's original wbeat contract is not yet cancelled. Now light is shed on the Marama trouble by the accredited union derogate of the crew of the ship, who declared that it was the Australian Seamen's Union that was holding up the ship endeavouring to create fresh trouble.

According to this delegate, an impromptu meeting of the Marama *s crew was held aboard last night. He was authorised to state that the crew was prepared to take tho Marama to sea witli a full complemont of union men. as provided by the articles, under Now Zealand conditions, and that tho onus was on tho company to provide tho crew. "We invite members of tho Australian Union to come forward and join us so that the ship can get away," he said.

It was stated that tho crow is }0 men short, seven of whom signed off ht Sydney.

Tho secretary of the Australian Seamen's Union is stated to have boarded the vessel and induced tho crew to demand Australian rates of pay, but this tho crew has now decided against.

A CREW SECURED. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received April 20th, 11.46 p.m..) SYDNEY, April 20. A crew lias been secured for the Marama on the understanding that they shall receive a month's pay and a passage back to Sydney, as the ship is to l>e laid up for overhaul on arrival at Wellington. No passengers will bo carried, all having been transferred to the Maheno. The Marama sailed at 8.30 p.m. for Wellington. The Volumnia's wheat oharter was canoelled and the vessel sailed direct for 'Singapore.