FERRY SERVICE MAY BE INTERRUPTED

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 72, 18 December 1920, Page 12

FERRY SERVICE MAY BE INTERRUPTED

; i : THREAT BY.THE .COOKS AND ; " STEWARDS. : /Tfrlaerp.oli—Press Assoeiatibn.' Christchurch,'December 17. .-. The "Press" understands that, at meetinprs of. members of the Cook's and Stewards' Union lield yesterday on board tlie feviy steamers,'it was-: "decided to hand in to-morrow the required twenty-four hoiirs' liotice of intention to cease work. The notices will become effective on Monday, and it is possible that the, ferry service will cease on that date, unless the Union Company agrees to pay the .bonus of £2 per month demanded by -the -union.. It i» alleged' by the cooks "and stewards' that in the event of an effort ; being made to run the-vessels with volunteer cooks and stewards, the fire-, men will come oufin support .of the men who have ceased work,. ".. -/ , Under the Board of Trade regulations it. is not compulsory -for a vessel to curry 'cooks and stewards, .although the crew must. be . provided for with " a • certain standard of food. This, means that it w necessary to carry only a cook for the crew. Therefore, if .necessary, the ferry steamers could.be run without stewards, unless .tlie seamen and firemen acted in sympathy with the. shards.. " 15 thought' in.Lyttelton that they would do so, but up to a late hour to-night no instructions had been reoeived_ from heaclCiuarters of the Seamen's and .Firemen s. Union iff' Wellington.