FOUR WEEKS’ “HARD.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 1 April 1926, Page 7

FOUR WEEKS’ “HARD.”

STRIKING SEAMEN SENTENCED. By Telegraph—-Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 31. Twenty-seven members of tho crow of the steamer Cross Hill, which recently completed discharge of her cargo of phosphates from Ocean Island at Lj Helton, but which lias been held up since Monday evening, owing to tho crew refusing to sail unless paid New /ealuiid rates of pay, appeared beforo Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., at the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court, on a charge ot having combined with other members ot t)u> crew to impedo tho progress .of the vessel. Mr J. R. Batchelor appeared for the defendants. Hie case #gninst Welsh was taken first, after which tho remainder of the men altered their pleas to guilty. 'J lionias \V. ,Stewart, muster of. the Cross Hill, stated that tho agreement with the men was for a period of thcoo years, from the time they had signed on at Glasgow. "When the vessel was off tho coast of South America, tho rates obtaining there were lower than those agreed to, but the latter rates had been paid just the same. When ho had spoken to the men collectively about their attitude, they told him they intended to stick together, and refused to withdraw their demands.

Mr Bachelor asked questions concerning the provisions supplied at Tarawa, in the Pacific Islands, and on being asked by the Magistrate wlnit his object was in doing so, answered that it was by way of mitigation in case the men should be found guilty. Mr Bachelor said that the cases were tho outcome of differences between tho master and men. AVlien signed on, flu: men were told that tho vessel would make a trip to South America, thence going to the Islands, and to Australia and New Zealand, after which the vessel was to go back home. It. was .subsequently learned that the vessel was to bo engaged in the trado between the Islands and Australia and New Zealand. The Home rates of wages for firemen were £9 10s a month, and £9 for seamen, whereas in New Zealand tho rates were £ls 6s Bd, and £l4 6s 8d respectively. He stated that on two other vessels which wore engaged in a similar trade, tho men had been paid New Zealand rates. The men felt that, as they were good unionists, they should got the higher rates of pay, otherwise they might bo called “scabs.” Tho Magistrate; “What happened when the men on the two vessels mentioned got Home?” Me Batchelor: “There are some allegations that tho increased wage was taken from them again.” Mr Batchelor, proceeding, stated that the men had been treated like dogs on tho voyage, and had not been fed properly, being kept, without butter and other articles of food. The Magistrate: “How Jong liavo they been in New Zealand?” —“Eight days.”

‘•They have recovered all right?”— “Yes, they are not a had looking lot.” Mr Batchelor contended that the rnen had not refused to carry out their duties. They were still, in fact, ready lo take the vessel front the wharf. The Magistrate: “To where?” —‘I don’t know.” Ted Welsh stated that when lie had complained of the rations given tho men, tho master said that ho could Iced them boiler on his own. John Currie, a well-set-up man, of about 1(3 stone, a fireman, then entered the box. , , , , The -Magistrate remarked that he was a healthy looking specimen of manhood. Tim 'Magistrate (smilingly) : ( " v . cro vou starved on the island too.” it. was the worst starving I had for years.” (Laughter). In answer to Mr Upliai”, witness said that he was prepared to take the vessel from the wharf, but as to what would happen when this had been done was a matter for Hie officers to deal with. _ . . , xr ■ In giving his decision, tho Magistrate, in giving his decision, staled Unit the evidence was quite clear thatthe men had combined to impede the progress of the vessel. _ It was immaterial where the action had taken place. With regard to the question of wages and food, these need not betaken into account at all ay him. They could bo dealt with elsewhere. The question of food concerned tho Court only so far as mitigation o penalty was concerned. lie would have to sentence them each to lour wicks’ imprisonment, with hard labour. However, if they changed Choir minds at any time, and decided to take the vessel to sea, they be liberated, tho same as rad been done in previous eases. He stressed the fact that the action of the men was a serious one, and was of a mitiue calculated to paralyse the whole ol the shitM)in£l industry. , 1 i i yir !»ucholor .stated that, he had been instructed to tell the Court that the men would, not take the vc v r \?. se. unless they were given the New Zealand rale of wages. Ihc.\ w . ■ prepared to iake the vessel into- the stieaiu, ill order to save the company wharf dues, but would not do anything further. Ho staled that the posit.on was that the company would h.nc to puv New Zealand rates to another crew, should it he engaged ’Hie men were not m the least dispirited at the case going against them, some oT them statum; that they would he far better m gaol than they bad been, on the Gross Hill. Owin' 1 " to the Lyttelton lock-up I,too small to conveniently accommodate them, Urn men were allowed f, siren on board the vessel to-night. 1