PREFERENCE TO BRITISH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2740, 7 April 1916, Page 6

PREFERENCE TO BRITISH

ACTION BY SEAMEN'S UNION.

Some time ago the Federated Seamen's Union of New Zealand resolved to approach the shipping companies with a. view to obtaining preference for British seamen who have enlisted as against foreign seamen who have entered the service since the outbreak of

war. The executive council decided to communicate also with the Australian Union on the matter. Up to the present no reply has been received from Australia, and in the meantime the following letter has been addressed to New Zealand ship-owners:—"Tho executive council of. the Federated Seamen's Union has had under consideration tho ease of those seamen of the New Zealand merchant service who hare enlisted with tho forces since tho outbreak of war; and seeing that these men have left their positions on tho ships to defend thoir country (including its commercial enterprises) it was concluded that the shipowners should, in return, render some practical recognition of the fact on their return to- tho Dominion. The council accordingly resolved_ to recommend that theso men ho given the first opportunity of rejoining your vessels by eliminating in their favour those foreigners who have engaged in the New Zealand mercantile marine since the declaration of war, and wo shall bo pleased to receive from you an early intimation that this will be done upon the individual concerned producing evidence from tho military authorities that ho was engaged on active service, and is a member of the above union; and that your ships' officers will be instructed accordingly."