COLLIERS IDLE

Evening Star, Issue 19791, 15 February 1928, Page 5

COLLIERS IDLE

MANY SEAMEN UNEMPLOYED GOVERNMENT CONTRACT WITH AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING PROTEST MADE TO PREMIER. [Pee United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 14. The fact that three New Zealand colliers are lying idle in Auckland Harbor, and that there is said to bo acute unemployment among seamen and firemen in Auckland, has given rise to a protest against the action of the Government in letting a contract to an Australian shipping company for the carrying of Newcastle coal to New Zealand. The secretary of the Seamen’s Union (Mr Anderson) stated that it was understood the Government w r as obtaining 150,000 tons of coal from Australia, and it was certain that a shipping contract had boon let to an Australian firm. “ Letting the contract to Australia means that our money is going out of New Zealand,” said Mr Anderson. “Then, again, Australian ships engaged in the coal trade are repaired in Australia, while our own ships are repaired here.” Representations have been made U' the Prime Minister on the subject, [Special to the ’ Stas. 1 ] CHRISTCHURCH, February 14. There are at the present time a largo number of unemployed seamen in the four main New Zealand ports. Many men have been out of work for as long as six months, and arc just existing on what is given them by those more fortunate, who are in employment. One reason for so much unemployment is due to the fact that there is no trade for a number of the colliers that used to he employed in the intercolonial coal trade. It is alleged that there are scores of seafaring men sleeping out at night for want of funds to pay for a bed. There seems little prospect of the position improving. A small group of seamen at Lyttelton were to-day indignantly- discussing the latest action of the Government in contracting with an oversea shipping firm for the carryinig of a contract of 150,000 tons of coal from Newcastle to New Zealand, while there are a large number of New Zealand colliers tied up. It is understood that a protest is to be made to the Government.