SHORTAGE OF FIREMEN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 76, 24 December 1918, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF FIREMEN

THE SYDNEY TROUBLE

DIFFICULTIES IN NEW ZEALAND

PATEENA'S CREW PAID OFF

The plight of some three hundred New Maimers who have been left practically stranded in Sydney owing to the hold-up of steamers by firemen was the subject of nn inquiry made by a Dominion reporter yesterday. The result indicates a very serious and altogether puzzling state of affairs. The' Union Steam Ship Company's officials state that they are unable to do anything more than they have done to get the Moeraki away, for, as may be assumed, the loss sustained by keeping such a steamer idle at such a time is considerable. The first demand of the firemen on that steamer was for better quarters, and they had .promised that they would resume duty on an assurance being given that snch improvements would be made asisoon as possible. That assurance was given, but it had no effect on the men who were holding out. Since then they had asked for .£1 per day for the return, trip and quarters on deck. Cable advice had been received to the effect that the Union Company, officials in Sydney had done all in their power to get the men to resume work at normal rates, but without success. It seems that the trouble does not exist in Sydney only. It is said that it is rife here in New Zealand. The Pateena has been laid up for a fortnight in the busiest part of the whole year for want of a stokehold crew, and owing to the hopeless mflook the* whole of the officers and crew (the-master and chief engineer excepted) were paid oft yesterday—two days before Christmas— so that not only are any who are deliberately standing out inconveniencing the nnblic, but they nre penalising their fellow-workers at sea and the waterside workers and carriers ashore.

• There are thousands of tons of New Zealand cargo on the Sydney wharves awaiting shipment, and the effects of its non-arrival must be very far-reaching. Not only are the merchants affected but also the tradesmen dependent on the arrival of many of the lines that are being held up. Still another instance is that of the Kurow, which has been held up in Wellington since last Wednesday. She has a full load of wool (10,000 bales) and (\ther New Zealand produce, but cannot get ,nway owing to the shortage of firemen. '

A condition exists that a man must have three months' experience as a trimmer before lie can act as a fireman, and an appeal has been made to the union to.forego that provision and allow men to ship direct as firemen in order to keep the steamers moving. It is believed by those who should-know that there are hundreds of young men in this country who would accept such employment at the present time were that provision foregone for the time- being, but there was no indication,of such consent: being given. The union argued that three months' work as a trimluJr was essential to the making of a competent fireman. On the other hand it is contended that the big strike m New Zealand demonstrated that a fey hours' training under an engineer was sufficient for all practical purposes. In Australia both the Commonwealth and New South Wales State authorities have been trying to overcome the impasse, but up to the present with out success. AUSTRALIANS STRANDED HERE The following cable messige was dispatched on Sunday by Mr. J. Hooton, general manager* of the Tamers' 'Wholesale Federation (N.ZJ, Ltd., Wellington, to the Acting-Prime Minister of tho Commonwealth Government:— ."Acting-Prime Minister, Melbourne. "On behalf of three or four hundred Australians awaiting an opportunity of returning, many embarrassed; Government and the Union' Company have been approached without satisfaction. Urge you to take immediate action.' 'FeplT • . " ."(Signed) HOOTON."