FREE LABOR ON SHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1922, Page 4

FREE LABOR ON SHIPS.

PROVING SATISFACTORY SCARE CHARGE REFUTED. By Telegraph.—Preas Afiwciatloa Wellington, Last Night. A leaflet has been circulated alleging that New Zealand ships are now manned by unqualified and incompetent labor, and that known imbeciles and criminals have been placed on vessels in lieu of qualified seamen. This is given a flat denial by the Owners’ Federation and the secretary of the Merchant Service Guild, both aa*erting that the manning of passenger steamers w quite satisfactory and the fact that vessels had been running with free labor for a considerable time without mishaps, showed there was nothing to fear. The Labor Department, in reply to the Cooks and Stewards’ Union, says there is no evidence to bear out the allegation of a lock-out by the Union Company. It was claimed that after the seamen gave notice the Union Company gave the cooks and stewards 24 hours' notice, and that this constituted a lock-out.

The Alliance of Labor has passed the following resolution: “That in view of statements in the Press inferring that the seamen were not supported by the Alliance or Labor generally, the Alliance declares its full support of the seamen, and that it will, if called on, render them all assistance in its power.”