THE POINTS IN DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 54, 4 March 1913, Page 5

THE POINTS IN DISPUTE.

INSTITUTE'S POSITION REVIEWED. ftlj" Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON-, this day. Mr. A. Wallace, secretary of the Institute of Marine Engineers, in the course of a review of the affairs leadins up to the present crisis, cays:— "The difference between the Union ■Company and the institute now is the obtaining.of the oonditiona of the Australian award for New Zealand engineers. JBven this was modified' to- a- great extent

by the institute in its endeavour to obtain an amicable agreement. The principal point at variance Is the recognition of the eight-hour day. This the company will not concede, although it has given it to the seamen and firemen, but in place of the eight-hour day the company wishes to impose a 56-hours' week, before overtime can be counted, and a limitation of 16 hours a month—that is, a £2 payment irrespective of the hours the individual may have worked. The 56 hours would work out very disaavantageously to the engineer, for lie could be worked all night and knocked off the next day, thus preventing him exceeding the 56 hours' limit—a very nice arrangement for the company. Tbu company has given the eight-hour day to the seamen and firemen. Why does it withhold it from the engineers? Sureiy those holding responsible positions are entitled to this privilege. The eighfc-hour day is recognised throughout Australia and New Zealand. Why should it ba withheld from those whe go to sea, who are already deprived, owing to the manner of their avocation, of many social advantages enjoyed by those ashore? •'The wages that engineers are receiving." he continued, "are very little better than they were 20 years ago. according to a statement of Mr. Young, secretary of the Seamen's Union, the orlicr ilay. The engineers saved the position for the Union Company in 1890. If thar, is so, none should know it better than the Union Company. In 1893 the ensineers, by a ballot, consented to a reduction in wages, and that reduction remained in force until about 1597, when wages were restored to the point froiu which they had dropped in 1893. iSinc.i that time "there has been very little increase. With the exception of the riso in 1908 the general increase in wages has not applied to engineers, who have received no benefit to set against the increased cost of living.* .