MARINE ENGINEERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8353, 13 February 1913, Page 3

MARINE ENGINEERS

BALLOT IN PROGRESS. As mentioned in the "Times” last week there is practically a deadlock between the Union Company and owners of the larger coastal vessels and the Institute of Marine Engineers with regard to an endeavour by the engineer? to secure a scale of wages and other conditions on a level with the recent award of the Australian Arbitration Court. A ballot papa ris now being circulated among the members of the institute to decide whether the offer of the owners shall be accepted or whether steps shall be taken to secure better concessions. The result of the ballot will' be known early next month. About 400 men are concerned, comprising the engineers of all the Union Company's coastal and interstate and of all other New Zealand owned steamers other than the Northern Company's boats and the Auckland and the Wellington mosquito fleets. The Northern Company’s engineers are working under an agreement, and the men of the Auckland mosquito fleet concluded an agreement with the owners-in January. No definite arrangement has been made with the owners of the Weilinsrton mosquito fleet. The recent journed conference with the owners of the local steamers will probably be reopened at an early date. Mr T. B. Wallace, secretary of the Institute of Marine Engineers, when approached by a “Times" representative, said ne naa nothing to say at present.