SERIOUS DISPUTE ON SHIP

Chronicle (Levin), 12 October 1946, Page 5

SERIOUS DISPUTE ON SHIP

MEMBERS OF CREW ARRESXED Received Eriday, 8.30 p.m. VANCOUVER, Oct. 10. Tweuty-seven members of tlie crew of tlie Union Companv's freighter Waihemo, includiug two New Zealanders, were arrested at N'aucouver today and cliarged under the, Canada Sliipping Act with disobeyiug the lawful commands of the vessel's master. The New Zealanders are Robert McTlraith, aged 30 and Ernest Alexander, aged 32. The mass arrests followed a dispute whieh delaved by 20' hotirs, the departure of the vessel from Auckland when ihe master sought to transport a distressed British seauian aboard the Waihemo to Vancouver. Tlie cl'ew objected to the Briton's presence in their quarters and refused to sail with him. Tlie Briton was liually takou off and the ship sailed. The Canadian press says the Waihemo 's trouble at Auckland is only part of Ihe story. Captain .John Ritchie refused details of what had been deseribed as "a voyage of fear" and "terror voyage" but elsewhere it is reported iiglits between the oflieers and men were l'rmiueiit, that members of ihe crew went nrmed, and that two offieers were threatened by knif'e wieJders. Only the fonnal eharge relates to occurrences at Auckland, but trouble was also experienced at other ' ports. it is reported that at Suva, armed natives were * plaeed aboard by the police to proteet the ollicers. Another rejiort statod that Ihe offieers slept witli " persuaders " under their pillows each higlil.