SEAMEN’S PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1930, Page 1

SEAMEN’S PROTEST

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION. \By Telegraph—Press Association). WELLINGTON, Aug. 5. Many of the proposals in the report of the Commission set up by the Government to inquire into the law relating to compensation for accidents to workers are against the interests of the workers of New Zealand, according to the opinion expressed at a largely attended meeting of the Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand. Particularly opposed is Clause 7 of tlie report, which proposes to reduce the weekly payments of n single seaman from £4 to £3 per week, and, in addition reduce the lump sum payments for permanent and partial

disability on the same ratio. In .other words, a single seaman is to be reduced in both his weekly and lump sum payments. The following resolution was unanimously carried: ‘‘lliat this meeting ol the New Zealand Federated Seamen’s Union of New Zealand'records its emphatic protest against the proposal contained in •Clause 7 ol the Workers’ Compensation Commission’s report, whereby it is proposed to reduce the weekly payments of a single seaman who may have tlie misfortune of being thrown out of employment as a result of an accident, from £4 under

the present law, to £3 per week. We are of the opinion that this proposal contains within it a scheme to reduce wages and to divide the membership of the trade union movement into two groups, married and single, thereby destroying tlie solidarity of the Union in its fight to maintain and improve the wages and conditions of its members. Further, we call upon all trade unionists and ou r Labour M.P.’s to support us in our fight against tliL vicious wage-reducing, union-splitting proposal, becoming incorporated in the Workers’ ’Compensation Act of this country.”