WORLD OF LABOR.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 56, 25 February 1913, Page 6

WORLD OF LABOR.

troub^IHKAD. Feb. 21. For some time past therp lias been developing a feeling of uneasiness on thejjart of officers on ships in the Austtalaaii ' and New Zealand merchant marine with respect to their status, pay, and forking conditions. Closer , ana moje intimate relations are being established (although it is understood:' that nothing definite has as yet been arranged) between the Australian officers and their brethren in the New Zealand trade. In addition steps are being taken -to bring about a closer union between the marine engineers and the deck officers in New Zealand for mutual protection. • So far as the marine engineers are concerned tliey have already made certain suggestions to the shipowners for the betterment of the Conditions of service, and pay, and these are now under consideration. This, however, is independent of, the defensive union of the two great bodies of men, the engineers and navigators. One of the causes of the uneasiness on their part is, as they hold, the lowering of their status and the diminishing of their influence over both the sailors and the firemen. It is made no secret of that the owners are inclined to tolerate more from the firemen and sailors than,' in the judgment of the officers, is good for the maintenance of discipline on board ship, and incidentally for the comfort, not to say safety, of all on board, AUCKLAND, Feb. 22.

Upon inquiring on Saturday it was found that no official notification of any arrangement with the Australian marine officers in regard to the Merchant's Service dispute had been received locally, though the opinion was expressed that it was quite likely that a move would be made to secure general co-operation. In speaking to a 'Star' reporter an officer said that the position was becoming more intolerable every day. The best men in the service looking for positions ashore. Although the shipping companies allowed the firemen and sailors a great deal more latitude than formerly the of-' ficers were still expected to get the same amount of work done and to the Vessel away in time.' The shipowners' motto appeared to be "peace at any price," and in consequence if ail officer had any difference with the men he could not count upon the support of his company. No one was more keenly aware of this state of affairs than the man in the forecastle, and he was quick to take advantage of the position. Under such circumstances it was well-nigh impossible to maintain discipline, and he felt that unless some determined step were taken by the officers or the shipowners there was serious trouble ahead for New Zealand shipping.

THE SLAUGHTERMEN'S DISPUTE. POSITION IN CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHUROH, Feb. 22. From the point, of view of the Canterbury freezing companies matters are satisfactory, despite the fact that the slaughtermen's strike is not declared off. This week it is expected that both at Islington and at Smithfield the output will reach four figures per day. Now that the pressure of ther harvest work is over, and that grass seeding is practically finished, applications for a suitable type of workers are coming in much more freely than was the case when slaughtering operations started 10 days ago. Indeed, the amount of labor offering is sucli that the companies are not under the necessity of engaging any but those who appear likely to prove efficient workers after having received some instruction. The quality of the work being done by the men at present manning the boards is giving satisfaction, and compares favorably with the standard reached by experts in recent years. In view of the number of men at present on the boards at Islington, and of the rate ?>+• which applications are coming in, it will be only a matter of few davs before the Ixiards will be quite full. T)>» learners employed by the companies, it is understood, are making such excellent progress that already a large proportion of them are being paid at the piecework rate, as they have proved themselves capable of earning more than the guaranteed maximum of 10s per day.