WATERSIDE WORKERS' DEMANDS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1317, 21 December 1911, Page 5

WATERSIDE WORKERS' DEMANDS.

EVERY A SETTLEIBy Telegraph-Press Association.) Duned/n, December 20. A conference between the representatives of tho shipping companies and representatives of tho Lyttelton, Timaru, and Uestport waterside workers commenced this morning. Among those present were: Mr Webb (president of the »r c m 1 ntl ; Iteration'of Labour) and i, (organiser of the same body). Ihe sitting was not open to the press, ilio demands were for increased wages and unproved conditions. Theso were discussed at considerable length. It was found eventually that owing to the' limirea tiiiio before tire holidaj's, and in view of the i'uet that severaf unions whose awards were just about to expire were not represented. It would be to tho advantage of both sides to postpone the coniereiico till the beginning of the New lear. Ihe conference was consequently adjourned till January 10, when what will amount to a Dominion conference will be held. In the meantime work will continue without interruption at New Zealand ports pending the result of the conference. Ihe proceedings were characterised by a very cordial tone on both sides, and it is understood there is m-erv prospect of a satisfactory settlement beiu» armed at by the forthcoming conference. ° wm "

DEMAND FOR INCREASED PAY. m, T . . „ Napier, December 20. iho Union Company s steamer Wannka arrived to-day ,coal-laden, but tho watermho workers refused to accept engagelueiits to work tho cargo on tho ground that tho rates wero too low. and no coal was discharged. Tho Napier Waterside \\ orkers ijnion met to-night, and decided In demand an increase of threepence per hour ordinary time (ls, 3d. instead of ls. Gd.), and eightnenee ordinary overtime (2h. 9d. instead of 2s. Id.).