TROUBLE WITH MEN OF S.S. MAORI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1581, 26 October 1912, Page 5

TROUBLE WITH MEN OF S.S. MAORI.

REFUSED TO SIGN.

COMPANY KEEP FAITH WITH IHI Bid C. Tho Union Company was put to some trouble by certain members of tho crew of the Maori yesterday. It appears that tho articles of tho ferry steamer expired nt midnight on Thursday, and it was necessary for tho crew to sign now articles at Wellington. Tho captain notified tho crew that they wore to be in attendance .at the Government shipping office, Wellington, yesterday morning, for this purpose, and, in consequence, the 6hip's company duly arrived there. On arrival each man in turn signed off the vessel, and received his discharge and wages. When, however, the time camo for tho men to sign on again, tho firemen, greasers, trimmers, and deck hands refused to affix their names to tho new agreement, and claimed practically two days' pay in lieu of one.

At first it looked as if tho Maori would not get away from Wellington at her usual time, but tho head ollico of the Union Company was communicated with during the day, and the men in question received what they said was entitled to them; and tho vessel left on schedule lime.

It appears that there was a request on behalf of tho firemen, trimmers, greasers, and sailors for a day's pay, over and above that which they were entitled to, and it happened in this way. Tho Maori's articles expired by effluxion of time at midnight on October 21, and notification was given to tho crew by tho master in duo course that, according to agreement, new articles would have to bo signed at Wellington yesterday. Tho Shipping and Seamen Act Amendment Act (in Clause. 12) states:—"When by reason of termination of an agreement with tho crew by effluxion of linio a seaman is discharged, and he is re-engaged on tho day of his discharge on the same ship, his wages under the now agreement shall commence the following day." To this the men in question objected, and claimed two days' pay. Tho reason given was that they were enlitled to tho extra pay because they held that they were in the same position as men who had signed off ono vessel, and had joined another.

In tliis case a man who signs eft ono vessel and joins another is paid for a day's work on tho vessel which he loaves, as well as n day's work on the vessel which ho joins. In the case of the Maori's men the engagement was continuous. They simply signed off tho vessel's nrticles, anil wero asked to sign on again. This they refused to do.

Sir. W. T. Young, secretary to (lie Seamen's Union, advised the men that, they wore acting contrary to law, but they still held Hint they wero acting rightly. The number of men involved was 41, and as tins was too many to replace at such short notice tho head office of the Union Company was communicated with, with the above result. If, however, tho vessel had been put off till midnight the men would, it is understood, havo "signed on," and would have forfeited the extra clily's pay. As a waiter oi SacV. Vho Union Comywmy couM. have adopted the latter course, hut they decided to keep linHAi with, tiie general public, and paid live money, thus dispa(c/u'ng Hie 3/nnri on schedule lime. About tirdre mra/HiS ago the same trouble arose in connection with the same vessel under similar cireumshiice.", n't LylMton, wm\ vn ttwtft caw also the Uwoti Company stive way to suit the convenience of tho general puMfc.