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German steamer "Roon now due Southampton. Federation considering whether prosecute for refusal proceed to sea. Please withhold payment of wages on arrival."
Enclosure 2 in No. 15.
TELEGRAM SENT BY BOARD OF TRADE TO SHIPPING FEDERATION IN REPLY TO THEIR TELEGRAM OF SAME DATE-31st August, 1904.
"Board have no information re case firemen 'Auchenarden' beyond what you give. Have wired to Southampton for prompt report, but cannot, on present know- ledge, take action as requested."
SIR,
Enclosure 3 in No. 15.
The Shipping Federation, Limited, Exchange Chambers,
St. Mary Axe, London, E.C., August 31, 1904. I BEG to confirm my telegram of to-day's date, reading as follows:-[See enclosure 1.]
The circumstances under which the firemen of the "Auchenarden" refused to proceed to sea are set out in the annexed extract from a letter of the master, dated the 8th ultimo.
I am to direct the notice of the Board of Trade to the attitude of the harbour master at Hong Kong, who, notwithstanding the refusal of the men to proceed in the vessel, declined to allow them to be landed unless they were paid off, and were pro- vided with a passage to the United Kingdom, on the ground that the Government could not press the men to take the risk of proceeding to Japan.
The master's compliance with the instructions of the harbour master has involved the owners in an expense of £216, and has probably deprived them of any remedy against the men. I am, therefore, respectfully to ask that His Majesty's Govern- ment will be so good as to refund the amount of this expense to the owners of the
Auchenarden."
The Assistant Secretary,
Marine Department,
Board of Trade, S.W.
I am, &c.,
CUTHBERT Laws,
General Manager.
I pointed out to him that my articles called on these men to go to any port in the world, and that war was in progress when these men signed them. He said he understood the articles perfectly, and that there was a certain amount of risk which the Government could not press these men to take, and if they consented to go for an increase of pay he would certainly not interfere, but if they still refuse you must pay them off, and place in my hands a guarantee for their passage to London
I went to the ship at once, 6 p.m., and mustered the crew, and offered them 10s. a month more. The crew-sailors all accepted at once. The firemen said not for £10 a month would they goto Japan, and insisted on being paid off, and a free passage home, as the harbour master said that they would stand by. I tried in every way to move them, but of no avail. They would go home and make the owners pay them in full until they arrived in the Tyne, and all and every expense they incurred from now until they arrived home. They had made up their minds, and their union would see they got their rights, so I made up their accounts, and made them sign them on board. It was 9 p.m. by the time we were finished, and had them all ready to take on shore in the morning, and pay them off.
·
I had the men at the shipping office before ten to pay them off. When they all came in, I offered them £1 a month more to go on board. They said no, it was worth more than that or you would not be so eager for us to go. Wardle, Cheyne, and Krause said they would not go to Japan on any terms. The rest followed suit at once, so there was nothing for it but pay off and leave a guarantee for their passage to United Kingdom."
SIR,
Enclosure 4 in No. 15.
The Shipping Federation, Limited, Exchange Chambers,
St. Mary Axe, London, E.C., August 31, 1904. I BEG to acknowledge with thanks receipt of your telegram of to-day's date, respecting the case of the firemen of the steamer "Auchenarden," and to confirm my reply, duplicate of which is enclosed herewith. The master's letter to his owners describes fully the circumstances under which these men refused to proceed in the vessel. By compelling the master to pay them their wages up to the date of leaving the vessel the harbour master has probably deprived the owners of any effective remedy against the men, and has involved them in a further expense of £216 by requiring that a passage home should be provided for the men as a condition precedent to allowing them to land.
My telegram of this morning was despatched in view of the possibility of the men's wages having been transmitted to this country for payment."
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
8 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
EXTRACT FROM THE LETTER OF THE MASTER OF THE AUCHENARDEN," DATED 8TH JULY, 1904.
#
The Assistant Secretary,
Finance Department,
Board of Trade, S.W.
I entered and cleared at Customs and shipping office, and went to the ship, taking pilot with me. On arriving on board at 2.20 p.m. I asked Mr. Allan if he was ready to start at once. He said we are all ready, but the firemen will not go to Japan. I at once mustered all hands, and the sailors and firemen demanded to see the shipping master; as they would not go to Japan I ordered one of each to come on shore at once, and I took them to the shipping master, who did all in his power to persuade them to go, but without effect. Then he told me you must take them before the harbour master, who is chief of this Department, whose decision would be final, and would need to be acted upon. I at once took them to the Custom House, and saw the harbour master, who strongly urged them to go in the ship, but told them plainly that he could not force them to go, but they were to go off to the ship and arrange with the Captain, who would give them extra wages; then when the men went out he said to me if you can't come to terms with them I can't help you any further.
You must pay them off, and provide them a passage to United Kingdom, as I will not allow them to be landed unless that is done. The Attorney- General of Hong Kong has gone carefully into the matter, and that is his decision."
31193
No. 16.
am, &c.,
CUTHBERT LAWS,
General Manager.
J. H. WELSFORD & CO., LTD., to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received September 6, 1904.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by Nos. 20 and 25.]
To our amazement, just received cable from Hong Kong stating authorities insist crew returning "Inkum." Our arrangement with Board of Trade covered our legal
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responsibility regarding expenses at Hong Kong, and sending home as distressed seamen. Kindly oblige us by cabling at once to authorities to carry out arrangement for men to be sent home as distressed seamen as arranged without further trouble.: