THE SHIPPING TROUBLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9795, 19 October 1917, Page 3

THE SHIPPING TROUBLE

(To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”)

Sir, —There are quite a lot of different views going around regarding tho present lock-out of the men on tho “mosquito fleet.” One of those views is that the seamen concerned have put their backs up against the wall, and 1 think -1 am right when I say that ills tho Shipowners’ Federation who have cast that view broadcast. Well, sir, I want to flatly contradict the statement that the seamen are taking up such an attitude. When the Premier (Mr Massey) suggested that a tribunal should bo set up consisting of a nautical assessor from each side and a Supreme Court judge to be chairman, we put a counter-proposal agreeing to the nautical assessor fromeach side, but asked that Mr Hagger, the Conciliation Commissioner, should sit as chairman. This the shipowners. turned down. That is No. I.

No. 2—Mr Massey made it mandatory that both the shipowners and seamen would have to accept the tribunal suggested by him. We appointed Captain Stringer to represent us, and the shipowners put obstacles in the way by making the stipulation that certain clauses Jn the agreement must be settled at tills tribunal. This the seamen objected to because the present dispute was entirely outside the agreement; that is, they wanted a man on the look-out in tho intercat of public and personal safety. No. 3 was that Mr Hagger got busy and succeeded in getting tile Minister for Marino (Mr Russell) to interview two representatives from each side. He (Mr Russell) asked the representatives if there was no way of compromising in tho matter, and suggested a look-out froir.- sunset to sunrise by way of a compromise. The seamen’s representatives put the suggestion of compromise made by the Minister before a meeting of about 200 members, and the meeting decided to accept tho Minister’s suggestion as a basis to work on for a settlement. I may here state that tho Minister said that if the suggestion was received favourably he would try and get both parties together at a- round-table conference and act as chairman himself. Tho decision of the meeting of seamen was immediately forwarded to the Minister, and the shipowners objected by declining to .accept Mr Russell as chairman. I

Now, the latest move by the shipowners is to force the seamen into tho Arbitration Court, and settle certain clauses in the agreement, and also settle tha loot-out question. Of course, wo can see that tho clauses are only a side issue to try and force the hand of the court in regard to the loot-out. The question of a look-out, in my opinion, and I think in tho opinion of all reasonable-minded people, is n question to bo decided by legislation, as it concerns tho • lives of the crew and tho travelling public, and it also concerns the certificates of the master and officers aboard.

Another point the shipowners are trying to Wind the public with is that it would require six men before they could work with two men in a watch. If that is so, how is it that the boats only carrying four men previous to

tills agreement coming into £orc<? worked with. two men in a watch, and they can still work two incn *n ** watch with four men.'' lam preparcd to say that every sit all _ boat (with tho exception oi' one) earned lour or more men on deck. Alter ail ibis proof the Government has threatened to take proceedings against our present secretary if he docs not forward a full bst oi the men who have been appealed for and are. concerned in the present uispu-c, a task which I think would be impos-i-ibic, very near, for a union secretary with a local membership, never mind ono with a floating membership such

as ours. , Well, sir, I think I have shown to you, and also to any broad-minded member of tho community, that it is not the seamen who have tneir up against the wall, but the Shipowners’ Federation, ami the Government is giving then: all tho assistance to keep their backs there. Hoping von will print this in your colamp m ■justice .to the men who go aown to Ihe sea in ships.-Yours,