WESTRALIA WITHDRAWN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 3

WESTRALIA WITHDRAWN

EXPLOITING A SHIPPING COMPANY.' (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, May 21. It is announced that tho lluddartParkor Company's steamer Westralia is to be withdrawn from tho New Zealand coastal sorvico and will relievo tlio Ulimaroa, in the Sydney-Wellington service. Whon tlio vessol was in Auckland at the end of last month her departure for Sydney was delayed for some hours' owing to trouble with firemen and seamen. Concerning that trouble a statement was made yesterday by Mr. D. Ryan the company's Auckland manager. In October last, Mr. Ryan explained, tlio Westralia was taken off the Sydney run and placed on tho New Zealand coastal service under Now Zealand articles. Towards, the end of last : month it was decided to send tlio steamer back to Australia, consequently tie company had to tako out intercolonial articles for lier. When this was dono the firemen and sailors refused to sign on at tlio recognised rate of wages, namely, £10 per month for firemen, and £8 per month for sailors. Tlie former demanded £19 and the latter £15 for the run from Auckland to Melbourne, via southern ports, tlio time occupied in the trip being twelve days. The company offered in addition to the customary wage that in tho event of the paster discharging tho men or of tho ship being laid up in Australia, they would pay the men's passages back to New Zealand, and also their wages up to the time of arrival. This offer also was refused, and tho position was, said Mr. Ryan, that tho ship was loaded with cargo, including a quantity of "perishables" and fmally the company had to accede to the men's demands. Tho effect was that they had to pay £340 over and above the ruling rate of wages for that particular period of twelve days. Whilst shipping companies were subject to such disabilities,_'Mr. Ryan added, there was very little inducement for them to eater for the New Zealand coastal service trade.