IS IT A "RING?"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 261, 25 March 1911, Page 8

IS IT A "RING?"

WHAT FIREMEN ASKED AND GOT. ON THE CLAN MENZIES. Auckland, March 23. According to statements made in shipping circles, something in the nature of a ,"ring" has been established amongst firemen in New Zealand, with a view to extorting exorbitant rates of pay from the shipping companies trading to and from New 7<>aland. As an i -• of this, the case of the Clan Mc>:: t steamer belonging to the Scales !. : -is quoted. It is stated that, when the Ulan Menzies arrived here from Bunbury, West Australia, some weeks ago, several of her firemen deserted, and the master (Captain Turton) was obliged to engage local men in order to take the vessel up and down the coast. In two instances as much as £lO per man for the trip down to Wellington, with a free passage back, was demanded, and as no men could be got for lesss the master was obliged, with the best grace possible, to engage the men upon their own terms. Having taken his vessel up and down the coast, the difficulties of the captain of the Clan Menzies by no means ended. Upon his return here, a number of the firemen engaged in New Zealand signed off, and, before sailing for London on Tuesday last, it was necessary for Captain Turton to engage three more men to complete the ship's complement. I It is alleged that the disengaged fire-' men in port, realising Captain Turton's difficulty, banded together and decided that whichever man was engaged he should nofr'aceept less than £SO, or £1 a day for the voyage to London, in addition to keep. The visiting skipper's first knowledge such an agreement I having been arrived at was when he ■went to engage the men. He found about a score of stokers awaiting him, and on asking each man whether he would consent to be engaged, he was met with a general demand of £,)() for the voyage Ultimately £45 was agreed upon.