DOMINION NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1918, Page 8

DOMINION NEWS.

SEAMEN'S DEMANDS. Dunedin, Sept. 18. All the shipping companies have now received a communication from the Fed- ' eratcd Seamen's Union asking for a conference as early as possible to discus 9 the advisability of increasing by 50 per cent, the 'wages of crews on overseas vessels, exclusive of Australian ports, and 25 per cent, on all other ships. The reason for the demand is that there has 'been a material difference ia the circumstances since the current ! agreement was made in March of last 1 year. The union suggests that subsidi- ; arv agreements) should be made, j It is interesting to note that the wages have been increased since Decernber, 1915, by £3 per month, in addition to which overtime rates of Is 3d and la 6d per hour respectively for ship ; and cargo work have been increased to a flat rate of 2s per hour for all work. The wages for sailors and trimmers arc now .€ll per month, and £l3 for greasers and firemen. COURTMARTIAL APPEAL CASE. Wellington, Last Night. The Chief Justice formally entered 1 judgment for defendants in the Court of i Appeal ease of Samuel Edward Fitz- t gerald, ship's steward, versus Colonel - Clarence Reginald Mac Donald and , others—the case of an alleged im- , properly constituted court-martial. No , coats were allowed. j A BIGAMOUS MARRIAGE. Wellington, Last Night. Charles William Groves, a member of he 43rd Reinforcements, pleaded guilty it the Magistrate's Court this morning to going through ft form of marriage with Pearl Alice Wring, when he was already married to Eva Phoebe Rossiter. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. DRIVERS' UNION DEMANDS. , Wellington, Last Night. •Proposals of the New Zealand Federation of Drivers' Unions for a new agreement have been forwarded to the employers. The drivers are demanding areatly increased wages, fewer working hours, and improved conditions generally. ;