ARBITRATION COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 9

ARBITRATION COURT

STOII.EMEN'S DISPUTE. The "Wellington Bitting of tlie Court of Arbitration was resumed yesterday morning. His Honour Mr. .Justice Stringer presided, and sitting with him were Messrs. AY. Scott (employers' representative) ' and J. A. M'Cullough (employees 1 representative). The first business before the Court was tlie dispute between the Wellington' Stoiemen's Union and the employers. Mr. M. J. Keardou appeared for the union, while Mr. W. A. AY. Grenfell appeared for the employers. Certain firms which had been citcd as parties to the dispute were struck out, but in the caise of the Xew Zealand Express Company, for which Mr. Grenfell ai>plicd for exemption, tho Court reserved its decision after hear-

ing evidence as to the nature of the packing work done. The demands of the union are for a fixed week of 44 hours, and an jincrease in rates of pay and overtime, tne contention being that t'lie present wage of £2 TUs. is much too low. Mr. Grenfell intimated yesterday that the employers were prepared to offer a bonus of 10 per cent., ■ which would bring the men's wages up to £2 155., but Mr. Reardon said that the time had gone past when the union would accept snjh a prdposal. After hearing the evidence and addresses of both sides, the Court reserved decision.

THE MERCHANT SERVICE. The Merchant Service Guild applied to have the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company bound as a party to tho W'cl- | lington Shipmasters' (Union Steam Ship Company) and the Wellington Ships' Officers' '(.Union Steam Ship Company) awards. Mr. W. A. W. Grcnfctl appeared on behalf of the objecting shipping corppany, and Captain F. A. Macindoo for the Merchant Scrvicc Guild. Tho objection related to the Canterbury Steam Shipping Company's steamer Cabn, of 9SU tons. On behalf of (.lie company, Mr. Grenfell submitted a statement showing that the employers objected to tho application, but offered without prejudice to agree to bring mads a party to the Wellington Mercantile Marine Masters and Officers' Award (applying to steamers from 100 to 000 tons, and • excluding the Union Steam Ship Company) subject to the following conditions The minimum rate of wages to bo pafd to the master and 'officers of tbe steamship Calm to be: Master, £27 per month; chief officer, £20; second officer, £16; the company to pay the present rates of wages (higher than the minimum fixed) so long .as the toaster and'officers remain in'the service of the company. Captain Maciudoe agreed to the, proposals, and tho Court thereupon added the company as a party to the award relating to officers on the small steamers, but not to the Union Company's award.