At the Waterfront

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 61, 10 May 1912, Page 3

At the Waterfront

j By NAUTILUS.

;H j Notwithstanding tho fact that tho waterside workers, seamen, and officers employed by tho Union Steamship Co. havo all received largo increases in wages, totalling somewhere in tho region of £;"K),000 per annum, tho shares of this company continue to riso. They - have been selling at £2 9*. to £2 10s., but about April 27 a general upward I tendency showed itself and £2 1 Is. 6d. j was reached. Evidently tho share-buy-ing public is showing its appreciation of Mr. llotdsworlh's generosity to the '• employees of tlie company, or expects something to eventuate from the rumor '• of amalgamation which is going the rounds in shipping circles. Anyway, it shows conclusively that the employers " j can dip pretty deep into the profits j without undermining tlie values in the j least. On the contrary, the more there 1 is taken away the greater the demand for shares. Brought to its logical conclusion, it seems more profitable to give than to receive. The general, broadbacked, necessity-eating public must bo suffering pretty severely,' but in the general scramble for increased wages - that supine mortal who has no rise-pro-I curing agency—or onion—m'nst be sufI fcring the most. The only real good I that is shown from a collective rise in j wages is the demonstration of its futil- ' j iiy and in general the futility of roj form measures. ! » # * Flare-up. That is the smut-produc-ing slush lamp which serves to illuminate tlie darkness in ships' holds whilst cargo and coal is being worked. These lamps were prohibited by special harbor regulation some years ago. i but owing to tho laxity of administra- ' I tion of these regulations, the lumper has still to suffer his lungs to be clog- ; god or refuse overtime work altogether. j Perhaps Mr. Laurenson will have these j regulations administered in the interI cits of his Lvttellon constituents and j other watersiders. I * • • The Wellington Waterside Workers' Union has donated GIOO towards the formation of a band in connection with the industry. Further subs, are invited from all unions who welcome the aid of music in industrial propaganda * • * A waterside worlufi S»y the name of John Anderson had the misfortune to fall down No. 4 hold of the s.s. Mokoia whilst taking off hatches preparatory to working cargo at Auckland on April 2G last, i » « » One of tho most important questions discussed at the last convention of the seamen of Franco was that of an in- * crease in wages. The demands in tin's direction arc absolutely justified.*ni the first place in view of the increase in the prices of food and rent and also in view of tho continual involuntary rest. Even tho most fortunate men among the seamen have great difficulty to find employment in tho shipping trade during eight months of t,he year. Under the conditions prevailing, it is absolutely impossible with the present wages to get along and maintain a family. The shipowners, however, do not want to see the danger. The problem of the increased prices of food I docs not worry them. But the Labor organisations and the Seamen's Union Ido not exist for tho central committee ! of shipowners.