THE MARITIME LABOUR DIFFICULTY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 305, 6 October 1888, Page 4

THE MARITIME LABOUR DIFFICULTY.

Tho Sydney " Telegraph," referring to the return ot firemen from San Francisco on the Mariposa, says : — It will be remembered that the men left Sydney on July 11th under an agreement which' had been entered into by the captain of the Alameda and Mr T. M. Davis, the Secretary of the Sydney branch of the Federated Seamen's Union. Tho terms of the agreement were that the men should be given free passes by the vessel to San Francisco with wages at rates of from £7 10s to £9 per month, and that in default of tho arrangement not bieng carried out they should receive a free passage bade to Sydney, with wages at the rates stated. It was further agreed that the Seamen's Union would be responsible tor any loss or damage done to the vessel by the misconduct, intemperance, or incapacity of the men. Maritime authorities here communicated with the owners of the vessel through the men, directing their attention to the rules and regulations of the Union which would be enforced in the event of their services being accepted. All went well until the arrival of the vessel at 'Frisco, when the nature of the agreement entered into having been conveyed to Mr Spreckels, the services of the firemen were refused. A day or two later the Secretary of the Union here received a cable from the mon to the effect that the Chinese firemen had not been dismissed, and that the Australian firemen were returning by the same ship. The Alameda entered the Heads shortly after 11 a.m yesterday, and made fast to the wharf at about noon. Of the two or three hundred persons who had assembled to greet such of their friends who were on board, not more than three or tour unionists were in attendance to extend to their fellows anything in the shape of a welcome. The men appeared to have had a pleasano time ot it, and spoke considerably of the kindness of Captain Moi'se and the treatment they received from Mr Spreckels during their stay in San Francisco. They were accommodated, said they, on board the Alameda and were supplied by the owners with tickets which ensured them their meals at a friendly restaurant. "While in San Francisco several unionist meetings were held, at which resolutions endorsing the action of the representatives here were warmly endorsed. Mr Spreckels's reason for not accepting the services of the men is that he would not allow himself to be dictated to as to what description of men he should employ. There are on board the Alameda 33 Chinamen irrespective ot the other members of the crew. The men state that Mr Spreckels has fulfilled the contract with reference to remunerating them. Last night the Seamen's Union fulfilled their part of the agreement by paying them what they had stipulated to do.