LABOR TROUBLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1917, Page 2

LABOR TROUBLES.

EIGHT HOURS DAY FOR SEAMEN.'. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, March 8. The conference btVwoen the shipowners and tho Federated Seamen and Firemen's Union was resumed to-day.' There was a large attendance of representatives of bdth sides, and the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister for Marino) presided. After a lengthy discussion an agreement was arrived at, which will be embodied in an industrial agreement to be submitted to the executive of the union for ratification. The .principal feature of the agreement will be the acceptance ' of an eight-hours' <lay, which will be universal, with the exception of vessels plying within river and extended river limits, mostly from Auckland. In the case of these vessels a week's work will comprise 50 hours, with the right of working ten hours on any one day, after' which overtime at the rate of 2s per hour shall be paid. In all other ships eight hours will constitute a day's work, overtime rates, being paid after that. Wages to be paid have been advanced, for seamen by £1 ]ss per month, and the universal rate of overtime will be 2s per hour. Other minor alterations in. the agreement have been made. Generally Die whole of the conditions of the Australian "working arrangement have been adopted in New Zealand.