WORKLESS SEAMEN

Evening Star, Issue 19798, 23 February 1928, Page 9

WORKLESS SEAMEN

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER [SpF.CIAt, TO THE ‘ STAH.’] WELLINGTON, February 23. Representatives of (he seamen, stewards, and ships’ officers combined in a deputation to the Premier and the Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Marine) m re tho serious position through unemployment. It was suggested that if New Zealand sailors could he empjoyed in tho transit of phosphate from Nauru three steamers with total crows of 14 f would be required, instead of which m the past year four dillereut nationalities (including twenty-seven English vessels) mainly employing Asiatics, were used. They considered it very unfair, in view of the Government’s appeal to farmers to employ labor, that 75,00 U tons of Government coal should have been imported in Australian steamers. This could have employed four vessels for eight months. One steamer was laid up in Auckland yesterday owing to lack of freight, another was being paid off’ in Wellington. Captain MTndoe declared that tho members of tho Merchant Service Guild were in the same plight as the seamen. There had never boon so bad a position for twelve years. Ho had soon a master mariner laboring on a Wellington building. It was stated that 233 cooks and stewards were unemployed in New Zealand, and 700 to 800 seamen. The Premier declared that the Gor eminent was very concerned with the seamen’s welfare. Its policy was to use New Zealand coal wherever possible. It was incorrect to say that 150,000 tons were being brought from Australia. The actual contract was for 37,500 tons. Ho was screwing the railways down to the minimum on which they could work, and if tenders were called, they wore not called for fun, hut to test tlie value. The deputation would 1)0 very critical If it found the Government let a contract on the basis of the highest price. A Dopnlationist : It. is not good politics. Mr Coates: “It is pretty dangerous to get away from the principle.” The, Government had already indicated to the coal contractors that if Now Zealand ships could he arranged it would lie desirable, and they were prepared to withdraw their ships, if tho big New Zealand shipowners would accept a reasonable rate of freight. As for Nauru, the agreement enabled New Zealand to get 1(1 per emit, of the output, and tho whole control was in the commission’s bands. New Zealand bad no legislative authority, hut the Government asked it to give New Zealand ships an opportunity of getting into that trade. 11. could not go further. These contracts were animal. Ho hoped it would lie possible to open up now avenues which would require more tonnage. “ We want another war and they will make homes of you,” declared a dissatisfied (Icpntatiouist to his colleagues.