UNFAIR COMPETITION ALLEGED.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20100, 2 December 1930, Page 16

UNFAIR COMPETITION ALLEGED.

SEAMEN'S COMPLAINT. (PCIBSS ASEOCIATIOS TELEGRAM ) WELLINGTON, Decemlxir 1. Mr l'\ P- Walsh, president of the Seamen's Union, says that to tho seafaring section of tho community t-bero is a serious aspect to the visit of the luxury liner Malolo, as the vessel entered into intercolonial trade by carrying over 1000 bags of mail from Sydney, besides bringing pa-ssengers from JSydney t-o ports of destination at Wollinctoii anil Auckland, and thus competing with New Zealand and Australian shipping. Tho ootnpany, like all other American shipping companies, carries a heavy Government subsidy, but in spito of subsidies tho wages paid and tho conditions of employment imposed on teamen alx>ard American ships are far below the standard that would have to bo complied with wero the vessels under tho marine laws of New Zealand and Australia.

Owing to tlio lack of trade brought about by tho unfair competition of highly-subsidised, cheap labour of tho foreign shipping companies there is at the present time a largo number of ships laid up in all the main ports of New Zealand. As the Matson Company proposes to build two further passenger boats of tho Malolo type to enter the trans-Pacific trade they probably will make Auckland a port of call on voyages to r.nd from Sydney. If thc.v book passengers from Sydney to Wellington and Auckland and carry mails their unfair competition will increase tho uneinployod in New Zealand and Australia.

In view of the fact that American vessels are protected on their own seahoard against competition from outside shipping companies, the companies employing New Zealand and Australian seamen and complying with the standard of wages and conditions of employment should be protected against tho unfair competition of highly-subsi-dised, ehenp-labour Yankee ships.

NEW GRAVING DOCK.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST. PORT FACILITIES AT SOUTHAMPTON. (naixisn official vtirsless.) (Received December Ist, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, November 30. The largest graving dock in the world is to bo constructed at Southampton by the Southern Kailway Company, in order to provide dry . docking accommodation for the huge vessel which the Cunard Company is to construct. It will bo 1200 feet long, 135 feet wide at tho entrance, and 45 foot in depth. The Government is giving assistance under the Development Loan Guarantees and Grants Act. " Tho'new dock will be the seventh in Southampton, excluding the . floating dock.

ADDITION TO FLEET

ANCHOR COMPANY'S PURCHASE. (FKES3 ASSOCIATION 'I'JELEGBAM.) "WELLINGTON, December 1. After successful official trials ovor the harbour courßO at Auckland, the new wooden motor-vessol recently built by Georgo Niccol has- been gold to tho Anchor Shipping and I'-oimdry Company, Nelson. She has been named Taupata by her new owners. Tho Taupata will leave early in December for Norfolk Inland, and will then bo taken to Nelson. The Anchor Shipping Company intends to use her for the carriago of fruit from Motuelta, Mapua, arid Nelson to Wellington.r.nnd in other cargo services for which her shallow draught of 8 feet makes her especially suitable.