Seamen and New Agreement.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1922, Page 4

Seamen and New Agreement.

PROTEST TO SHIPOWNERS

WELLINGTON, Feb. 24

Tho following statement has been made by Mr W. T. Young, secretary of the Federated Seamen’s Union

In submitting to the New Zealand shipowners in December last, its claims for a new agreement to replace the one now current and expiring on 28th inst. the Federated Seamen’s Union requested a conference of parties this month to consider and fully discuss same and the circumstances appertaining thereto. On the 15th inst. the owners definitely replied that in their opinion

would be futile for such a conference 1 to take place, as they intended going to the Court of Arbitration for a definite and authoritative ruling, thus turning down the seamen’s reasonable proportion for friendly discussion of the terms and conditions under which they work. The communication of the shipowners has been considered by the seamen’s executilve council, and the following resolution was unanimously carried, viz: “That in view of the fact that for some years past (since 1906) tho union has been able to adjust all its disputes with the shipowners as to wages and working conditions as per medium of direct conference, and the results of »uch conferences having been satisfactory to both parties, this council is astounded at tho action of the shipowners in declining to meet us in the same manner as in the past and intimating that they propose applying to the Court of Arbitration for a. dofinite ruling. The recent proposals of the Government to amend the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act at the dictation of the Employers’ Federation has finally killed the confidence of the workers of New Zealand in the Court, and wo emphatically protest against the shipowners’ proposal to refer our dispute to that tribunal, and must view with profound suspicion tho motives underlying their intention, as indicated in the letter To the union. The seamen are aware that the 1\ and 0. Company (employees of coolie and other black labour in their ships and to which the Union Seamship Company is now the offspring-in-arms) are very largely instrumental in dictating the policy of the shipowners, and that communications bearing on the industrial position in Britain and this country are almost daily reaching New Zealand from Lord Inrhape, as brad and front of the I*. and O. Company, who would if lie possibly could man the Now Zealand and Australian mercantile marine with black labour. Faking that into account, together with the terms and conditions of the Industrial Concilation and Arbitration Amending Bill this year, and the lead given to the Government through its retrenching poficy in the Civil Service. the seamen realise and fully understand tho great anxiety of the shipowners to drag them into the Court of Arbiration, it being apparent that the shipowners fear that as such they would He unnhlo to accomplish their desired ends by a friendly conference wllli the seamen’s representatives.” • I