DISSATISFIED ENGINEERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 53, 4 March 1913, Page 3

DISSATISFIED ENGINEERS.

IN THE RED FUNNEL FLEET. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, March 3. Dissatisfaction among the engineers of the Union Company’s fleet is said to be approaching a very critical point, and it is regarded as certain that unless a settlement is reached in a few days the whole of the Red Funnel steamers will be laid up. The engineers have expressed their intention of giving notice to cease work as soon as possible, owing to the refusal of the Company to concede conditions of work and wages on a par m’th those of the existing Australian Arbitration Court award. A ballot was taken recently by the Union Company’s engine-room staffs, and the result is in favour of drastic steps to be taken to obtain improved conditions, regarding which a late conference between the Company’s representatives and tho Union delegates could not find a basis of agreement. * Mr W. A. Kennedy, Ire#! manager of the Company, said to-day that he had been approached, and, so far as ho knew, the Company would adhere to its intention to have the matter brought before tho Conciliation Council.

A pressman was informed that tlie Maori’s engineers will give the 24 hours’ notice required hy the Act at Lyttelton to-morrow. The engineers of the Monowai, now en route to Auckland, will probably give notice prior to her return to Dunedin next week. Notices from those on the Flora and Pateena are regarded as imminent. Mr Wallace, secretary of the Engineers’ Institute, is reticent as to the men’s intentions. A meeting of the Institute was held to-day, but the proceedings were kept strictly confidential.