COOKS’ AND STEWARDS’ DEMAND

Evening Star, Issue 21749, 18 June 1934, Page 14

COOKS’ AND STEWARDS’ DEMAND

THE DISPUTE UNSETTLED MONOWAI PASSENGERS JOIN WANGANELLA [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June IG. There lias been no change in the dispute between the Union Company and tlie Cooks and Stewards’ Union since Friday, when the Union Company gave notice to the members of the crew of the Monowai on their refusal to take that vessel to sea. Tho Monowai will now remain laid up at Wellington until alter her annual overhaul* and survey is completed later in the year.

Passengers who had booked to leave Wellington for Sydney by the Monowai will go north on Monday night to join the Jtuddart, Parker motor liner Wanganella. which is to leave Auckland on Tuesday for Sydney. The Wanganella is on Australian articles and is not likely to be affected by the dispute. At a meeting held by the Cooks and Stewards’ Union on Saturday morning a resolution was carried reaffirming the decision that the 10 per cent, cut should be restored to members of the union.

Concluding a lengthy statement today in reply to what Mr T. 0. Bishop said yesterday on behalf of tho Ship Owners' Federation, Mr E. Kennedy says that the only matter involved in the dispute is the restoration of the 10 per cent, wages cut. The ship owners had had the advantage of the'cut for the last three years. One of the main arguments when tho cut came into force was that it would allow the employers either to reduce costs or hand on tho reductions in passenger and freight rates. He knew nothing cf freight rates, but there had, been no reduction in fares. The wages cut was really a gift to the shareholders, and it was to be noted that the companies had purchased some new ships. Another point when the cut was made was that it would mean the employment of more men. On the contrary, staffs had been reduced.