SHIPPING STRIKE ECHO.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5019, 27 August 1926, Page 3

SHIPPING STRIKE ECHO.

CALLOUS INDIFFERENCE: ALLEGED

VOLUNTEER SEAMEN PROTEST.

An echo of the late shipping strike was heard in Parliament on Tuesday, when twenty-seven members, of the volunteer crew of the Arawa petitioned the House for a declaration Chat the control boards, representing the interests of the producers! of the Dominion should afford reasonable relief to them for the monetary losses they sustained in standing by the producers in their hour of need. Reference was, ma,de to the fact that the boards in question had exhibited call-ous-indifference and ingratitude in the matter.

Petitioners state that they volunteered for service on the Arawa during, the 19-25 maritime strike, thereby averting great loss to the primary producers of the Dominion. The earnings of the twenty-seven at their regular- shore employment before, volunteering averaged £3 10s per week, the individual average remuneration ranging from £l5O to £5OO. They were absent from New, Zealand for 112 days., and their aggregate earnings for that period from their ordinary avocations would Save amounted toi £1550; whereas .the total amount received by them £sso, so that petitioners, in the words of the petition, “made a pecuniary sacrifice of £lOOO in the interests. of the primary producers.” In addition to the financial loss, a number were said to have lost valuable clothing through the want of pro-per-flaciities. for its protection. The expected hardships on the voyage were cheerfully undertaken, but the work was, over-strenuous for some, who returned broken in health. In

two/ceses strained hearts, were diagnosed, while one of the number had been ruined in. health for life. Petitioners believed they were, performing a public service by directing attention to the matter, since if the

impression was allowed to prevail that the hoards were prepared to let the men who came to their respue suffer, it might be surely predicted that the primary producers wtould have to bear the loss the next time cargoes were held up. “Failing the reasonable consideration asked for,” the” petition concludes, "these boards will not again be able to procure volunteers to save the situation, but will be' deservedly allowed to suffer the consequences of their ingratitude by being left to the mercies of the Bolshevists , through having alienated both support from loyalists and public ‘sympathy,. and the losjs will fall, and fall heavily, on the primary producers.” Petitioners asked Parliament'to direct the boards in questioii to make reasonable compensation. The petition was signed by J. E. Coutts and 26 others.