TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1922, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

I [by TELKOItAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION tj CONCILIATION PROCEEDINGS. WELLINGTON, May 8. The dispute filed by the Union S.S. Coy. against tlie Merchant Service, Guild, was heard before the Conciliation Commissioner to-day. The Com-' pany is seeking a reduction of 20 per cent. onj the wages of ships’ officers.. The Guild asks that the present scale* ho continued. Captain Mclndoe said that oountei*. claims had been framed, as the Guild.’j had in mind the making of a Dominion. I award. i Mr Smith (Union Company*) said. | that had the company’s conditions been, accepted, it would have allowed the current rate of wages to prevail until the Arbitration Court made its pronouncement. The company wanted to go hack to the award made in 1915-

The company wanted the 56 hour! week restored. Captain McTndoe considered tha New Zealand conditions should fori the basis of wages to be paid. Mr Smith said thnt conditions wer very bad to compete with companie which paid no overtime. There wer two State-owned fleets operating, bot losing money, but tho Union. Compan; bad to compete with them. That wa the reason for asking for a, new agree ment. Mr Wallace (for the officers) sal that the Union Company* wanted t< lower wages in order that it illigh compote in foreign trade. That wa hardly fair. The company could no compote in that trade and should with draw. Mr Smith retorted: That means *ni employment Sor your members. I an astonished to hear that statement. CASE TO GO TO COURT. WELLINGTON, May 8. Regarding the dispute filed by tho Union Steam Ship Company against the Merchant Service Guild regarding wages, the Conciliation Council proceeded to consider the clauses in detail, hut’ it was unnbl 0 to come to an agreement on the principal proposals. The minor clauses were amicably* settled. The otlies were referred to the Court, and also the wages bonus. HOTEL BURNT. DUNEDIN, May 9. Welcome Home Hotel at Lowborn, Central Otago, was totally destroyed by lire this morning. ICELAND’S PROHIBITION. WELLINGTON, May 9. In connection with a recent cable announcing the repeal of Iceland’s prolihition law re wines, the New Zealand Alliance has received a cable from the 'ntornationnl Temperance Bureau, .ausanne, (later Bth May, as follows; ‘lceland obliged for one year to admit vines under twenty-one per rent alcuml." This admission of wines is stattl to he in conformity with a demand mule by Spain on the expiration of; he Treaty with Iceland, wherettndor he took an important quantity of (•eland’s fish. Spain refused to renew ;

the Treaty unless Iceland would repeal: hci prohibition law, and admit Spauris wines. Iceland had not previously imported wines from Spain even bet ere* she adopted prohibition. I>. AND T. CONFERENCE. NO DECISION YET. WELLINGTON May ' The delegates of the P. and T. Officers’ Association met again to-day huttlieir business had not been, concluded when they rose for the day, and the* conference is to he continued to-morrow* when it is expected a conclusion will j he reached. The Postmaster-General stated to- j night that lie had not up till then, had j any official communication from the j conference. j BUTTER' PRODUCERS. j HAMILTON. May 9. | At a meeting of South Auckland J Dairy Association executive, it was . agreed to recommend all associated * companies to support the suggested . pool as being best in the interests of j producers. Tt was also decided that ad- j vance payments for butter fat supplied I during April be one shilling for cheese J and first grade butter, and ten pence •' Inr second grade butter, DENTISTS CONFER. NELSON May 8. t At the Dental Conference, various j papers were read and discussed. De- j monstrntions showing the methods of j oral surgery and the technique of prac- i tical dental work were given. To-niglit ; the delegates are tho guests of tho lo- | cal branch at a smoke concert. '