What Are the War Risks in Coastal Waters ?

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 52, 4 March 1944, Page 5

What Are the War Risks in Coastal Waters ?

SEAMEN’S SECRETARY REPLIES TO MR. HOLLAND (Per press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 9. “While Mr. Holland, leader of the Opposition, was speaking in the safe precincts of the House of Representatives last evening all the main ports of New Zealand were closed under the direction of the naval authorities,” said Mr. F. P. Walsh, general president of the Federated .Seamen’s Union of New Zealand. “Yet Mr. Holland chose this of all times to attack the payment of the war risk bonus and gratuity to New Zealand merchant seamen. His statement amounted to a claim that these men face no war risks in the performance of their duty on the sea. “It appears that Mr. Holland sets himself up as an authority having special knowledge concerning the risks both shipowners and seamen face in carrying on the trade of the Dominion in wartime, but there is another authority on this subject. The New Zealand naval authorities, who would be expected to have more knowledge thnn Mr. Holland of wartime risks to shipping on the New Zealand coast, have on several occasions closed all the main ports of the Dominion. “We have lost ships in New Zealand coastal waters during this war and one of the noblest displays of heroism by merchant seamen was made by tho captain and crew of the Turakina just off the New Zealand coast. The action of the Navy shows that there is a risk. Mr. Holland suggests that there is none. Who is most likely to be rightt Not Mr. Holland.”