BEACHED INDRA BOAT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1782, 21 June 1913, Page 5

BEACHED INDRA BOAT.

LABOUR TROUBLES. TYSER CO.'S AGENT EXPLAINS. It wag stated in a Press Association messago from Wanganui yesterday that there was "much feeling" among local waterside workers at tho action of tho Tyser Line in sending men from Wellington to assist in jettisoning general cargo from the stranded steamer Indrabarali. When asked if ho had anything lo say regarding the abovo yesterday, Mr. H. L. .Nathan, shipping manager for Banuatyno and Co., who aro local agents for the Tyser Line, explained the position. ||At the outset," said Mr. Nathan, 'wo considered the possibility of engaging labour for this work at Wanganui, and wo came to tho conclusion that, seeing that there is only a limited supply of waterside labour at Wanganui, wo would bo doing an injustico to ourselves as well as to other companies if we took men from that port. Twenty men is a big order for a port of tho size of Wanganui. _ Again, there was tilts fact to bo considered. On Monday wo will liave the Niwaru loading at that port, and she will require a large number of hands. If we had taken 20 men away to the Indrabarah, how would we have got on for labour to work her? Then, there are other companies to bo considered. They have ships working tho port of Wanganui, and they require the services of waterside workers also. I should like it to bo plainly understood that the Wanganui men wero considered in tho first instance, and it was solely because of tho above reasons that they were not engaged. "Why wo took men from Wellington (continued Mr. Nathan) was becauso at tho presont timo work is fairly slack on tho local wharves, and there is a largo number of men who aro practically doing nothing. Wellington has a greater number of waterside workers than any other port, and wo thought that, under tho circumstances, tho Lest tiling to do was to engago tho labour here. Surely tho Tyser. Lino can manage its own affairs without having to consult waterside workers." Tho following telegram was received by tho Secretary of the General Post Office from the postmaster at Bulls yesterday: —"At 1 p.m. to-day Mr. Simpson, Heaton Park, reported that tlio Indrabarali had not moved all the morning, although wind and sea had been favourable. A big swell was just beginning to como in, and the Terawhiti was standing about a (juarter of a mile away. The statement m this morning's papers (Press Association messages) that the strikers caused a disturbance in Bulls last night had absolutely no foundation in fact. They had- walked 1G miles, and, being tiTed, retired early to bed. Tho town was never quieter."

Aa the result of inquiries mado by a representative of the Manawatu Standard" yesterday morning, it appears, that tho men were engaged at 2s. an hour, and had worked for two days, but owing, to tlie nature of tho work they were suuse--quently. called'upon to do they asked for 3s. an hour. This was refused, and they ceased work. One of tho leaders of tho men says that 2s. an hour was offered for lightering, but tho owners ...yrished them to do different work—that of throwing cargo overboard. Moreover, tho men anticipated being able to work overtime, but were onlv allowed to put in eight liouts a day. They demanded 3s. an hour for jettisoning ordinary cargo, and 4s. an hour for working in the refrigerator, but the request was not entertained. Tho lightermen also complain of tho accommodation, stating that tho only covering they had was canvas, and that tho food was not good enough. When their demands were met with a refusal, tho men simply left the ship and trudged sixteen miles to Bulls, where they arrived about half-past seven in the evening. Prom reports received in Wellington from tho scene of tho stranded liner yesterday, it appears that tho tidos aro too low to effect the refloating of the Indrabarali these "springs." Last time, it will be remembered i'liat tho sea was too rough, this time it appears that it has been too smooth. Next timo perhaps the happy medium will bo struck. . (By Telearraph.—Special Oorrcspimfien*) Marton, Juno 20. Rumour was current at Palmerston this morning that a riot had occurred at Bulls last night in connection with tho Indrabarah strike, but this was denied by Mr. Hoskings, hotelkeepcr, of Bulls, who stated that tho men had tea. about half-past seven, ,and spent the evening quietly in tho commercial room discussing the prospects of the salvage operations. After this they went to bed, and there was no Semblance of trouble at any time. There wins no reason why there should

be. ' Tho position of the stranded vessel has not improved, but she lias been lightened considerably by tho jettisoning of cargo. It was intended to make an attempt at a big pull this week end, but tho'existence of labour troubles has upset this idea for tho timo being. Tho beach is strewn for a distance of about six miles towards Foxton with bales of wool, flax, and gum, and a commencement was mado yesterday to discharge tho frozen mutton when the men struck, and put a Di'cma/turo end to the operations. _ The vessel wits bumping slightly last night.