Seamen’s Dispate.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 November 1922, Page 3

Seamen’s Dispate.

UNION SECRETARY CHARGED.

ijnv tei.eoiiaou- :>;u vubhs asso, ,’vtton] AUCKLAND, Nov. I , In his absence at Wellington, j I nomas Frederick Anderson, secretary !

to the Auckland branch of the Sea- j men’s. Union, was charged in the Mag- !

istrate’s Court with intimidation in ! trying to compel Keith Belridge to i abstain from travelling in the steamer |

Vralinrn from Auckland to Gisborne. It was sttited that six men had been engaged to serve in the Baden Powell at wages said to he less than union wages. They intended to proceed to Gisborne by the Araliura, and this resulted in tbo Arahurti's firemen leaving the vessel. It was alleged that defendant stated to the Union Company’s officials that the men were acting under his instructions, and that the Baden Powell men would have to have the Araliura or she would not sail. Captain Dryden told Anderson

he would get the men ashore, and Anderson spoke to some of them : “Bt white men and leave the Araliura or there will he trouble.” The men went; oil because they thought they would lie put oil'. Captain Stephens, master of the Huanui. stated in evidence that the monthly wages to 1.-e paid to the crow of the Baden Powell were £lB for able seamen and £2O for firemen, which were above the Union rates, hut they were not to receive overtime. Men sailing out ol Auckland in the sain • class of trade received less pay. The ease was remanded. At Gisborne the dispute has caused le.-s inconvenience than it would at -any other season of the year for the reason that the roads are now in good order, and overland communications are possible. Cars are leaving daily lor Napier, and at frequent intervals for Rotorua, and a good many people who were held up by the AiahtiraTs n.n-arrival have made their way

across country. 11 is now possible to journey from Gisborne to Auckland in 33 hours, good connections having been arranged at the various stages of the journey. The run from Gisborne to Napier is seven or eight hours. The cost f overland travel, however, is | heavy compared with sea. CASE CONTINUED. AUCKLAND, Nov. (i At the Auckland Police Court, the Inspector of Awards sought to recover a p unity of £lO against. T. E. Ander- ' son, Branch Secretary of lh f ' Seamen's Union on the charge that he did on September 29 aid or incite a strike of firemen and greasers of the steamer Araliura at Auckland. Captain Dryden gave evidence that Anderson informed him the crew would not tail if the 'men shipped for the Baden Powell were passengers. M'itness did not see Anderson get the men ashore. M’itness nnderstu al the reason given wa- that the Baden Powell men were working at union rates. Build (acting manager of the I’.S.S. Co- gave corr Jiorative evidence. At this stage the ease was adjourned owing to the defendant being absent at the seamen’s conference at M’ellington. The inspector is also proceeding against eleven stokers, and charges Li ein with being parties to a strike. Some evidence in support was given, hut the ease was remanded till Mreduce lay at the request ol the defendant's counsel. LATEST AUCKLAND REPORT. AUCKLAND, Nov. fi The crew of the Union Company’s steamer K'tiwarra have given 21 hours notice. The trows of the Norther* Company’s steamers Arapawa and M aipori were paid oil to-day, following notice on Saturday. The ships nliwtcd total seven Union boats, 1 I Northern boats, and two Richardson boats.