CREW HOLDS UP SHIP

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 831, 27 November 1929, Page 18

CREW HOLDS UP SHIP

HIMITANGI IN TROUBLE AT WELLINGTON

ENGAGEMENT OF FIREMEN Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. Trouble over the engagement of the crew for Holm and Company’s coastal cargo steamer Himitangi, at present completing' her overhaul at Wellington, is being experienced by her owners. The vessel paid off all hands at Wellington preparatory to undergoing an extensive overhaul, costing about £I,OOO. WTien the crew were asked to sign on the articles again yesterday, it was found that three new firemen who had undertaken to join the ship did not put in an appearance at the port shipping office to sign. It is stated that the owners of the Himitangi were given to understand that unless the three firemen who were employed on the ship before her withdrawal for overhaul were reengaged, the vessel would be held up. The owners, however, claim the right to engage whom they choose, and hold that any interference with this right is a clear case of “job control” by the men. The Seamen’s Union officials were interviewed on the subject, but they said they could not mediate in the matter. The union, they said, had no power to compel seamen or firemen to join any vessel if they had no desire to do so. The Holm Company refuse to be dictated to by the men as to whom they should employ, and as the matter stands the vessel, which is expected to be ready for sea tomorrow, is without a crew. The Himitangi’s complement comprises the captain, two mates, two engineers, a cook, a steward, five seamen and three firemen.