LABOUR PROBLEMS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9097, 17 March 1908, Page 5

LABOUR PROBLEMS.

CON G E S S lON S_ TO J E N GIN ED RS.

Press Association

Wellington, March 16

As a result of the recent conference between the Managing Director of the Union Company, Sir James Mills, and the delegates of the Institute of Marino Engineers, several important proposals were discussed and eventually an agreement was drawn up, to be "submitted to the lustitute'for rati* fication. The principal features of the concessions granted are that in future chief engineers in the company’s fleet will receive £2l to £3O per mouth, according to class of vessel'and trade ; second engineers £.16 to £2O ; third £l4 to £l6; fourth, £l2 to £l3. Victualling allowances when engineers are awaiting orders ashore are placed on a more liberal scale, and sick pay was agreodfnpon to all engineers incapacitated by illness. Chief and second engaged in specially strenuous trades have been promised double their present holidays, A very satisfactory schedule of pay was arranged for all engineers working ashore for the company when ships were laid up. Free transit lias been granted to the families and effects of engineers who are desirous of moving their homes when transferred from one trade to another. A scheme has been arranged for relieving chief engineers from turning out at all stopping places in the Welliugtou-Picton-Nel-sou service, which involved exceedingly unsettled hours of rest for chief engineers. Promotion of juniors has been placed upon a systematic basis. The engineers have obtained concessions, aggregating, it is estimated, about £SOOO a year.