SEAMEN’S DISPUTE

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1662, 31 January 1906, Page 3

SEAMEN’S DISPUTE

(Per Press Association.) Duuodin, last night.

Mr J. T. Kirby, in opening the ease for the Union Company in the eeamen’a dispute before the Arbitration Court to-day, submitted as reasons why there should be no increase in the rate of payments that firet, there had been do material alteration in the general conditions or employment since the award came force in August, 1903 ; secondly, the earning power of the Union Company’s employees was in the majority of cases greater than that of artisans on shore who served in some instances five and six years to their oalliog, besides having to supply themselves with cosily books ; thirdly, vessels In competition with the Union Company both in the coastal and intercolonial trado3 paid in some instances about half the rates of wages his Company wore compelled to pay under the award of the Court; fourthly, the cost of living was in most instances less than it was in 1902. Messrs Young and Belcher bad both stated the increase in wages asked for by the Union was about £SOOO per annum. As a matter of faot, however, taking the whole award, the increased cost to the Company would be over £16,000. After producing an e’aboralo analysis of tbo 0091 of necessaries for some years past, and the cost of houeo ront, for a similar period, Mr Kirby submitted that the cost liviog bq.d not increased, but on the contrary, it had decreased. His address was not finished when the Court rose for jjo day.