SHIPPING HOLD-UP AT LYTTELTON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 114, 7 February 1919, Page 9

SHIPPING HOLD-UP AT LYTTELTON

TEOUBLB WITH. THE TAP.AWERA. The Tarawcra.is still held up at Lyttelton (says Wednesday's "Press") owing to her 6eii.tneri and firemen having refused lo rojoin the vessel after tignini; off on the expiration of their articles. It is claimed that a flaw hns been discovered in that section of Hie Shipping and Seamen Act which deals with allowances for invalided eeamnn, in that, whore seamen become invalided in tho shipowner's service in the port where they signed articles, they cannot technically claim any sick allowance. The Taraweni's firemen and eeame,n, in order to ensure the payment of sick Allowance, whether their sickness he contracted at the holne port or elsewhere have prepared a clause making (ho payment of the allowances obligatory ■on the ship's owners, and tluv men demand that thie clause be inserted in the ship's articles beforo they w>ll sign on the- vessel.

The' Marine Department has been advised by the Crown Law Office that sea- , meft cannot claim si.;k allowance under section G of the Shipping and Seamen Act unless Ihoy have become invalided at a port other than that where tney sismed articles. It is reported (hat a North Island, shipping iinn ha? already acted in ocordatic.e with the advice, ftid that legal proccdings- are pending. It is expected that the matter , wiil |>e amicably arranged between the lieaririuai.tsrs of the Union Company and (he Seamen's Union.

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