THE CONCILIATION BOARD.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 November 1901, Page 4

THE CONCILIATION BOARD.

(pee peess association.) Dunedin, Nov 15, The Seamen’s Union dispute came before the Conciliation Board. Mr JtoMswortb, representing the Union Com.-

pany, dealt largely with the disadvantages under which local shipowners are working compared with Australia. He said that the condition of the shipping trade of Australia was highly satisfactory, while here it was on the down grade. Federation must lead to a great interchange both of cargo and passengers between he various Htates to an extent which must benefit the shipping trade of Aus:ralia. On the other band, the shipping trade of New Zealand would suffer correspondingly, This was recognised on all sides. If we could reconsider our proposals in the light of the Federal tariff he thought that New Zealand shipowners would be justified in seeking a reduction of wages rather than offering to renew the rates paid by the last award. In considering the Australian rates of pay it must not be overlooked in this colony that we are faced with direct competition by large British and foreign cargo steamers, which come down from Sydney and Noavcastlo in intervals, and whose opposition has the effect of reducing the rates of freight here. These ships were run exceedingly cheap in every way, while as regarded wages alone they were run at £IOOO a year less than New Zealand steamers of smaller capacity. These factors greatly handicapped New Zealand owned steamers.