SEAMEN'S DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3023, 9 March 1917, Page 6

SEAMEN'S DISPUTE

» OWNERS MAKE CONCESSIONS INCREASES IN WAGES THE EIGHT HOURS' DAY _ The conference between representatives of the Seamen's Union and the shipowners, which broke up without making a settlement when it last assembled some days ago, mot again yesterday, and on this occasion the parties reached an agreement. The Hon. G. W. llussell, Minister' of Maiine, presided at the conference. The agreement has still to go before the Seamen's Union Executive for ratification. It will then be made an industrial agreement, and registered under the Arbitration Act. The most important feature of the new agreement will be the acceptance by the owners of the union's demand for ail eight hours' day. This rule will apply to all ships except those trading _ in river limits and extended river limits. Most of theso are the small craft plying in and out of Auckland Harbour. In the case of these vessels the week's work will comprise 50 hours, but no day's work. is to exceed ten hours. This means that overtime will, be payable on these small vessels after ten hours' work, and on all other vessels after eight hours' work. All overtime is to bo paid for at the rate of 2s. per hour. The wages to be paid to seamen have been advanced by £1 15s. per month, and corresponding advances havo. been given to other ratings. The general effect of tho new agreement is to give to seamen in New Zaland ships the samo conditions and tho samo wages as are prescribed by the Australian award. At tho conclusion of the conference Mr.' D. A. Aikon, general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, on half of the shipowners, and Messrs. AV. Belcher and W. T. Young on behalf of the union, thanked the Minister for his assistance in presiding over the conference.

In reply the Minister said he realised that the situation had been one about which difficulties might have bee"n raised, but owing to the conciliatory spirit shown by both sides the conference had ended successfully. The increase in tho rate of wages was part of a world wave which was affecting especially the British Empire, and the upward tendency of wages which had been experienced in Britain was one of tho effects of the war. AA'e in Now Zealand were bound to experience the same conditions. Ho had. no doubt that the shipowners would' find some way of passing to the public the increased cost of running their ships which would bo caused by the new agreement.