SHIPPING CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1346, 25 January 1912, Page 4

SHIPPING CONGRESS.

SUBSTANTIAL RISE IN WAGES, EIGHT-HOUR DAY. AN AGREEMENT CONCLUDED. TIIK AUSTRALIAX AWARD. The conference at which representative!! nf the Dominion shipowners met representatives of tho Somiicn's Union, with a vimv to formulating a new working agreement, came to a successful termination yesterday, shortly before two o'clock in the afternoon. It is understood that the proceedings at the conference, were rather troubled, and that, at limes, it became diflicult to .secure a continuance of the negotiations, but ultimately all difficulties were smoothed away, and a full settlement was arrived at. A brief official stalemenl, supplied to the press (by apeement between the. parties), runs as follows:— "The Shipowners and Seamen's Union have come, to an amicable agreement. The principles established by Mr. Justice Rigpins in the. Australian award have beeu largely endorsed in the agreement, tho Rener.il effect being dip establishment of an eight-hour day for eeanien and an increase" in wages of £1 above tliowi ruling in November la.st, and the working conditions have been very iconsiderably amended. The agreement has been fignwl, and when printed will be handed to the press for publication." Further particular?, it was stated, would bo withhold until the agreement had been submitted to the meeting of the local Seamen's Union convened for thin evening. It was ascertained, however, that, Iho agreement makes provision for pre-' ferenco to unionists, and that the "eighthour day" provision is general in its application, and will havo to be observed by tlie small coastal companies as well as by their larger competitors. Naturally the small companies will find the observance of the agreement in this particular somewhat burdensome. At a rough estimate it may be taken that compliance with the new agreement will cost the Union Company alone about ■£25,000 a year in respect tf increased wages and reduced hours elono. The New Wages. The following are the, monthly wagej which will be payable under the agree-' nieut— Jt s Boatswains 9 6 Lamp trimmers and A.8.'5... 9 0 Lamp trimmers ..; 8 0 Able seamen 8 0 ' Donkeymcn, 4-hour watches... 11 0 JJoiikoyinen, β-hour watches... 12 0 Firemen, 4-hour watches 10 0 Firemen, 6-hour watches 11 0 Greasers, 4-hour watches 10 0 Greasers, G-hour watches 11 0 Trimmers, 4-hour watches 8 0 Trimmers, G-hour watches 9 0 Storekeepers, or greasers and storekeepers 10 0 Greasers and storekeepers, Ghour watches u A