REFUSAL TO SAIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1922, Page 5

REFUSAL TO SAIL.

HOLD-UP OF MOERAKI. CREW APPEAR IN COURT. TEN WEEKS’ GAOL. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrisbt. Received Nov. 14, 11.15 p.m. Sydney, Nov. 14. Twenty-three members of the crew of the Moeraki assembled at the Seamen’s Union rooms to-day in accordance with a previous promise and surrendered to the police. They marched to the central police station to answer a charge of absenting themselves from the ship without leave or sufficient reason. They all pleaded guilty. The captain of the Moeraki, in evidence, said that prior to leaving the ship the men’s spokesman said the men refused to sail because the complement was short. They demanded the appointment of four more in place of two who were flick and two who had given notice. The captain told the spokesman that without the four demanded the crew was above the manning scale. It was announced the company was willing to take the men back and forgot what had happened, but they refused unless the extra men were appointed.

Counsel for the Union Company asked for a heavy penalty, describing the men’s action as a deliberate hold up to achieve another purpose than the one stated. The company had no desire to be vindictive, but no other coufse was open tnan the one taken.

Asked by the magistrate if they were willing to give an undertaking to the company, the men's spokesman replied: “If we get the extra men.” The magistratet ordered each accused to forfeit two days’ pay and to be imprisoned for ten weeks with hard labor. Received Nov. 14, 11.15 p.m. Melbourne, Nov. 14. Notice of appeal has been lodged on behalf of the Paloona’s crew of twentyseven seamen, who were sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment yesterday. MALLS FROM AUSTRALIA. ARRANGEMENTS MADE. Received Nov. 15, 12.15 a.m. Sydney, Nov. 12. The Moeraki mails have been gent to Newcastle for shipment by the Kauri, which is sailing for New Zealand tomorrow. An additional mail will be sent forward for shipment by the Kauri to-morrow forenoon. UNCHANGED AT AUCKLAND. DISPATCH OF THE WAIHEMO. PLAN TO MAN SHIPS. Auckland. Last Night. The shipping situation is unchanged. The Waihemo, which arrived .from Pacific Coast ports on Sunday, left for Napier and other southern ports at 5.15 p.m. One man signed off here, but was replaced without trouble. No cargo for south was lifted by the Waihemo. The Presbyterian General Assembly commences to-morrow, though many southern delegates are delayed in the south. Auckland, Last Night. The Employers’ Association discussed the shipping trouble, With the object of devising measures to bring about a re-manning of the coastal fleet. It ie understood that such measures were determined on, but no official announcement has been made. The Council of the Chamber of Commerce telegraphed to Mr. Massey expressing appreciation of hi* action, and trusting that the Court’s awards will be in no way interfered with. POSITION IN DUNEDIN. MEN AWAIT DEVELOPMENTS. TROUBLE OVER WAGES. Dunedin, Last Night. ■So far as can be ascertained the seamen who have been paid off at this port ate merely awaiting developments in the North. Az a matter of fact they are showing but little interest in the hold-up, realising that any further action which they may be required to take is dependent on the decision that is arrived at in Wellington. Among well-informed circles it is stated that one of the main causes of the hold-up i« that under the new award the seamen on the New Zealand, coast are to receive 25s a week lees than those on the Australian coast, while at the same time they are not subject (as under the 1920 agreement) to automatic increases in wages in conformity with those granted in Australia. But it is pointed out on the other hand that this objection takes no account of the fact that the cost of living in Australia is exactly 10 per cent, higher than it is in New Zealand. A number of men on the Kaitoke and Waikouaiti, who signed on at Newcastle, are in a more fortunate position than those owning Dunedin as their home port. These men have been paid off by the company, and as the conditions of their employment make it necessary for the company to pay them 6b fid a day for expenses in addition to their wages, they are not at all dissatisfied with the position in which they find themselves. One of the conditions to which they are subject is that they must take the first available boat back to their home port, and in order to fulfil this requirement a number of them, about two carriage loads, it is eaid, left for Lyttelton this morning. VIEWS OF MERCHANT SERVICE. Auckland, November 14. At the meeting of the Merchant Service Guild, a resolution was passed that miasters and officers shall take their ships to sea, but? will do no seamen’s duties, that ie, no duties carried on by able seamen. A cowardly assault. Auckland, Nov. 14. Captain James Williamson, master of the auxiliary schooner Houto, whose erew continues at work despite strong efforts to induce them to leave, was attacked in the street last night by three men, knocked down and injured about the face, one eye being completely closed. He is under medical care.