IDLE SHIPS AND SEAMEN

Evening Star, Issue 19792, 16 February 1928, Page 14

IDLE SHIPS AND SEAMEN

FORM CONTRACT FOR GOAL PREMIER REPLIES TO PROTEST [Peb United Peess Association.] AUCKLAND, February 15.. “Every consideration is. given in placing contracts to the utilisation of dominion ships and crews, but where competitive prices are invited for Government supplies consideration must be given to the lowest tenders.” This reply was received in Auckland from the Prime Alinister in response to a joint protest from the Seamen’s Union, the Alerchant Service Guild, and the Marine Engineers’ Institute at the Government’s atcion in letting a contract to an Australian shipping company for the carriage of Newcastle coal to New Zealand. In making the protest the organisation mentioned said that it was understood 160,000 tons of coal were to be shipped, but Air Coates states that the quantity in this instance is only half the amount mentioned. The destinations are North Island ports. The reply to this message was telegraphed from Auckland to-day.. In this it was suggested that in view of the present widespread unemployment the Government’s chief consideration should be to provide work for New Zealand citizens. The contract, it was pointed out in the telegram, would employ four shjps and 150 men for nearly four months at the cost of the difference between the tenders. Aloreover, the money for repairs and supplies for the ships would remain in the dominion.