GUILD'S RESOLUTION.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1897, 4 November 1913, Page 8

GUILD'S RESOLUTION.

REPUDIATED ON BIG BOATS, Fairly wild statements were current yesterday as to officers of ships "coining out" under certain circumstances. Tho foundation of these rumours did not rest on any feeling among officers on tho Union Steam Ship Company's steamers, or any other large line, but did rest, to some extent, 611 tho attitude of officers of tho "mosquito fleet." Seen by a reporter yesterday Captain D. J. Watson (secretary of the guild) stated that a resolution had been sent to the shipping companies as follows:— "That as certain shipowners have decided to pay off the masters and officers at the present . juncture, they cannot reasonably expect the masters and officers to work their vessels with free labour, should it become available." Asked to explain, the resolution Captain Watson said: "At present tho shipowners have seen fit to pay off the mas* ters and officers of some of the smaller coastal fleet, and, if free labour becomes available, they will want tho roasters and mates immediately to work the ships in combination with freo labour. This we absolutely refuse to do, nor'oan we'reasonably be expected te do it." Ships' Officers Surprlsod. When tho above statement was shown to several masters and officers in tie Union Company's employ they expressed surprise at the action taken by Captain Watson. Somo of them expressed themselves very plainly on tho matter, and said that tho secretary liad Ho business to make such a statement bofore ho 'had tho authority <jf the Guild as a. whole. From further inquiries made it appeared that many of tho members of the Guild did not know anything about the matter, and several expressed emphatic disapproval of the' secretary's attitude at this critical stage. It may bo mentioned that, with tho exception of two or three companies, ail masters and officers employed prior to the strike were drafted to various ships, and have been engaged keeping watch thereon. Thoy Tiavo boon paid tie full rate of wages and work 24 hours' an and 24 hours off. The Grievances on Small Ships. There has, as _ most people know, been dissatisfaction amongst somo or tho masters and officers on tho smaller coastal fleet in regard to rates of pay, overtime, etc. Tho award governing this section of tho Guild's members expired on Octobor 2. Since that time negotiations have been going 011 between tho Wellington branch of tho Ship* owners' Federation and the Merchant Scrvice Guild. On October 22 representatives from both sides sat in conference, and it is officially stated that the shipowners refused to agreo to tho payment of overtime. Since then negotiations (as far as appointed representatives arc concerned) have ecased.

In regard to the non-payment of' overtime to masters aiid m®tes it wril contended by the Guild that' as the shipowners saw their way clear to pay members of tho crow of tho smaller vessels oveftiuioj as well as to "give those men an eight-hour day, t!hoy should bo willing to allow the masters and mates the same .working conditions. Figures were submitted to prove that in many cases the seamen were earning more than the matos, and in odd instances, more thaii the 'masters* For instance, tho master of a boat received £22 IDs. as his month's salary, while tho lump-trimmer took, with much, overtime, £23 Os. Gd. Otlief instances areas follow (monthly rates this year are quoted Seamen (with overtime)., £19; chief officer, £17; seamen, £1(3 145.; chief officer, £16; second, £U (still with overtime). Sisamen, £15; second mate, £14; "boy" £3 13s. 4<3.; mate £15, j&amen £18 18s. 6d. In another ease the lamp-trimmer has during tho past four months, drawn more salary than tho mate. Several exceptions to tho above were given—overtimo is paid in tho Union Company and in one or two' small linos. Figures for the latter art more to tho liking and idea of the Guild:—Seamen (with overtime), £15 75.; boatswain. £17 75.; mate., £19 7s. This is tlw basis oil whicJli tho classes of labour on this particular lino are paid. An officer of oil© of tfheso boats testified' in the following figures Sailors, £24 ; second mate, £27; and mate £30 this in one of the smaller coaxal runs. Alia it has to be romembored that all a seaman cftrns over £8 is overtime, a second mato's salary is £13, and mate s £16. It is argued that if -one or two companies can ooneede all tna otliers should bo brought into lino. "Wo have not (said Captain watean in reference to the foregoing) tlio slitjlitest objection to tlio seamen working overtimo and getting paid for it, but tho point is that the officers, and mantors on ships other than tho Union Company work overtimo and get hotninj for it."