INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 242, 12 April 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

WAGES ON STEAMERS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, April 11. The Federal Arbitration Court award in the case of the Merchant Service Guild against the steamship owners provides for an all round increase in tile wages of captains and officers on inter-State passenger and cargo vessels/ an eight-hour day, overtime payment, increased holidays, one month's notice or pay after three months' service when officers' articles are expiring. The president reserved further consideration of the question whether the award should apply, or to what extent, to the boats of the Union Company, ! Huddart (Parkers' and a number of I other companies trading outside Australia.

The award proposed a currency of five years, operating from May 1. The Guild expresses satisfaction at the award. The shipowners in Sydney question the power of the Court to deal with vessels trading within one State only, and predict that the increased cost involved will be disastrous to the shipping trade, which will be driven into the hands of the big foreign companies; otherwise all the increases must be passed on to the public, as shipowners cannot bear them.

SHORTAGE OF BRICKLAYERS. Sydney, April 11. The issue of a circular by the Bricklayers' Union stating that the Government require seven hundred bricklayers, who are guaranteed two years' work at the best rates, and the report that the full number have applied is alarming builders, who declare that it will paralyse the private building trade, as builders are unable now to fill their requirements as to bricklayers.

NO POSTAL STRIKERS. London, April 10. The Postal Servants' Conference at Bristol, by 98 votes to 47, resolved that it was improper for postal workers to strike, employment by the State entailing special responsibilities.

THE AFTERNOON SHIFT. Sydney, April 11. A considerable section of coal miners are changing front with regard to the abolition of the afternoon shift, fearing it will result in throwing many | out of employment. THE LITHGOiW STRIKE. Sydney, April 11. Although the Lithgow strike has not yet been officially declared off, the embargo on Litligow iron, which caused the stoppage of Sydney foundries, has been removed, and the men have resumed work.