I Over recent weeks the involvem ent o f crewmen o f the N Z ship Ngahere in the Strike by Fijian W atersiders has been very much in the news. This series o f events has been used for political capital by both the NZ and Fijian G overnments and unfort­ unately m ost o f the coverage in the N Z press has been concerned with only this side o f the story. Recently D on M ackay spoke with two o f the N gahere ’ c r e w members and got their first hand account of events. This is the first, and possibly the only chance for them to present to the public their account o f events as they saw them . Accordingly it is reproduced below w ithout further com m ent, j edited to a presentable length. The strike over there was substantially over wage rates which in the Islands are disastrously low. We established for instance that in the sugar mill itself wage levels were around $1 per hour and the pressure of the work is extremely hard. The mill itself is outdated and the conditions quite primitive. The exploitation of workers is acute. It’s almost beyond belief when you’re adjusted to NZ living standards and conditions of work.” “The Emperor Gold Mines are extremely deep, some 4000 feet, going down 23 levels. At the lower levels there is volcanic boiling water emerging from the rock face. Each miner needs 2 hoses to continue work, one to cool the drill he is using and one to keep him from dying from overheating. The wage rates in these mines are 80 cents (per hour) for under ground workers and 70 cents for service workers. The Company provides free housing of a very low standard, ... and free vitalling.....it is subsistence food that is supplied. The Company also operates the well known ‘Company Store’ setup. The Company claimed that they couldn’t survive without a very substantial government subsidy.....And despite against the employer or any employer govern­ his crew .... We were escorted to the Masters recent astronomical increases in prices for the ment. To all workers our goodwill.....we extend cabin. Through an interpreter we made our metal, also imposed on the miners, and of course the hand of friendship, common cause, and self reasons for coming on board his ship quite clear their families, a 5% wage cut some 7 or 8 weeks respect” . and after an absence of some thirty minutes or ago. This incredible state of affairs is some of the “ On Wed July 6 the Soviet cruise liner ‘Theo­ so the Executive of the vessel returned to tell us dore Shalyapin’, well known in NZ waters, that as a consequence of the Helsinki agreements ‘Mr Muldoon made no protest about this invas­ arrived at Lautoka ..... We formed up a deputa­ .....they could not contribute anything to the ion of N.Z. territory. On the contrary, he tried tion containing members of our own crew along strikers, neither could they take any part in the with members of the Fiji Seamen’s and Dock- to justify his acquiescence by a load of vicious dispute but that they extended their sincere workers Union and approached the vessel with sympathy. There was a considerable degree of red-baiting against the people whose only crime a view to obtaining some practical and tangible embarrassment and before we left we were was to observe arid honour a trade union expression of their support. On going aboard we invited to take with us copies of Lenins pamph­ principle.’ asked to see the Commissar, who turned out to lets ‘Unity in Struggle’ and so forth, produced be a large businesslike gentleman and was also in bright glossy red colours .... I don’t think many of them were taken.” background to the violence with which the the chief officer of the vessel. We found it hard Watersiders’ claim for 30 cents an hour increase to understand how he could possibly identify “The Waterside workers were camped outside the dock gates in considerable strength, .. they has been met.” himself with the interests, attitudes and aspira­ When we arrived in the Islands, the strike was tions of the ordinary working class people of Continued on p 7 brewing .... I got the impression that Vietata (of Watersiders Union) had been rather liberal in extending all of these deadlines (Legal require­ the dollar. Even if the General Meeting opposes ment of 30 days notice before a stoppage) to the the increase, we cannot avoid paying the $5,600 utmost to try and reach some settlement through involved. the processes of arbitration. But quite evidently Within our own internal structure S.R.C. has this was not on and on Tuesday morning the endorsed a Societies Council request that there strike in fact erupted.” be an extra $2,000 (ie 20c) allocated to Clubs “At this point our position was clear. We were and Societies next year and the 1978 Executive precluded from any interference in this fight, is in some way obliged to add this money. any direct involvement in any decisions......, but Our present administration costs $6.00 of at the same time by virtue of the traditional which $4.00 is wages. Wages are rising at 10% a international solidarity ethic of trade unions we year, that is 40 cents. Inflation is not included were obliged to carry through our obligations to here - say 5 cents. the limit. The crew recognised this. I should It will be moved and seconded at the Winter Within the Union complex, which at present 1 point out that all the decisions the crew arrived General Meeting that the fees go up $1.00. This costs $3.50, inflation is an even bigger factor- at were in free and equal discussion, which is increase has been made necessary from factors say 5 cents. So by my calculation a further $1.26 traditional among NZ Seamen, and all were to which are beyond our direct control. All students is required. the best of my knowledge unanimous.” belong to N.Z.U.S.A., N.Z.S.A.C. (Arts Council) I have not included any increase in student On Wednesday July 6 the crew issued a state­ N.Z.U.S.U. (Sports) and Campus Arts North. activities. If this request for an extra dollar is ment which read in part: “ No amount of threat, The Association pays these fees on your behalf. turned down, the money will still have to come no cunning or dishonest manoeuvre, no consider­ N.Z.U.S.A. is putting up its fees from $1.60 from somewhere and the only place it can come ation of race, can possibly prevent ris from fully to $2.00. N.Z.U.S.U. is putting up its fees 6c. from is Student Activities. This means cut-backs honouring the sacred workers principle of It is likely that N.Z.S.A.C. and C.A.N. fees will | International Solidarity and unity in struggle go up at least 10c. That accounts for 56 cents of continued p. 4. PAGE 2 CRACCUM AUGUST 8 I tw ii IH (I Al 11 N t WORLU) RECORD a yard of a ie in W ay to go 5 .4 seconds Sank of New Zealand for overseas travel funds For your next party trick or duel - try a yard of ale. We sell the The only way to travel overseas is via your nearest Bank of New Zealand genuine article. Branch. That way you'll find things a whole lot easier. We can provide you with travellers cheques in any of the major currencies of the'world. If you want to transfer cash ahead, we can help you apply for the appropriate Reserve Bank permits and advise you on the latest regulations. We II be pleased to arrange letters of introduction through our overseas contacts. If you d like more information on your overseas fund requirements or financial matters, call at the BNZ Campus Branch and arrange for a chat with the Accountant, Geoff Harrop He'll he very pleased to help. Or ring him direct on 370-385 ! Full banking services at the Bank of New Zealand Campus Branch, Old Student Union Building. RUSSEL'S of High St. gC£lONG Student .Ji Travel i f Bureau / c a lls 1S*P « * * > ...an d STB ****** ***** has the flights and a * r # '‘Hons tours to enable you to respond. The Trans Tasman student flight programme commences early November concluding late April with depart­ ures from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. tours of Australia. These rxirs h a ^ ^ e J J S J ^ ^ X ’sttl^tl Sd C*nPmfl Tasmania . Bushwalking 16 days $212.00 FARES: Auckland Tasmania Wallington to Sydney $109.70 16 days $235.00 Christchurch Barrier Reef todays $260.00 Auckland to Brisbane $11&50 23 days $375.00 O M itral Australia Christchurch to Melbourne $124.00 todays $250100 Darwin Auckland to Melbourne $126.20 24 days $385.00 and^ * ?d *e your nearest STB sales office. Offices located in Auckland, Hamilton. Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Note: Regulations, require a return flight to be booked but you can combine departure and arrival dates as you please. S.T.B. TRAVELS THE TASMAN W ITH # a ir new zeaLann CRACCUM AUGUST 8 PAGE 3 Dear Frank, Dear Frank, The major event this week is the Winter General Meeting in B28 on Wednesday evening at 7 pm.