SEAMEN'S, WAGES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 157, 27 March 1908, Page 8

SEAMEN'S, WAGES.

CONCLUSION OF L CONFERENCE. THE AGREEMENT SIGNED. The agreement nmicably arranged between the New Zealand shipowners -'and -the Fedora ted Seamen's Union 'in'-respect of seamen's wages was signed :, by - the representatives of both parties yesterday'. Briefly, it; provides for a# increase of 10s. a month all round, an increaso of from Is. to Is. 3d. per hour for 'overtime; "morning watch below'-' to/tho -Coriiina and ships in'the Dunedift-East 'Coast' running) JJaturday half-holiday"< for ' firemenat : terminal points, when the oiigineers':approvoi and reduction of. night watclimfc'ii's 'wages' from 10s. to Bs. a: . .nijjht. :

At the final meeting .of - the conference* yesterday the speeches werc~b£ a congratulatory and complimentary; mature. Mr. C Ranson, General Manager', of- the Northern Steamship Company, was,voted to,the chair. Mr. Belcher proposed- a .mbtion recording the high appreciation 'felt,-by both parties to the of . tho- .services .rendered by - tho Hon. ,J. -A.- . Millar,- -/Minister for Marino, in acting as its chairman, "and also for his tact, patiencej and ability in successfully, negotiating an. industrial' agreement, which, it is 'trusted, : will prove beneficial to all parties concerned." Sir. .Belcher said that the conference owed much to Mr. Millar for.,tho.-practical experience which ho had brought to bear oil their discussions. He thought'that, the Minister could be heartily congratulated »n his share in .effecting an agreement; which- might not bo altogether satisfactory to "the seamen; but which they hoped would- stand tho test of experience. He was glad- that? they had been ablo to come to aii agreement, because ho was beginning to feel, afraid of the Arbitration Court, of which' they had not had a happy experience on the lafet occasion. He hoped that as* a result of- the agreement tho most cordial relations would exist ■ botween the seamen-and their employers. Some of tho men on tho smaller vessels would bo opposed to the- night-watch concession, but the Union would do its best : to -dispel any grievance. . •- • ■

Mr. W. A. Kennedy', local manager of the Union- Steam. Ship' Company,seconded the motion. Air. Konnedy -spoke very highly of the tact and patience-shown by the Minister, whoso practical knowledge had been of the greatest value -to' the. conference.. Mr.' a Ranson' also s.ppkb>. and the motion whs carried--nnth applaiiso.' ' The Minister, m returning thanks, said that both sides had done, their best to arrive at a- satisfactory agreement.-: On behalf of his colleagues, as well - as-, himself, he conrrratuhted them; on . the success' attained. The closer the heads of the various departments- got together- the better'it would' be. for all. ■ .. . /The-.' Minister, and-- "delegates .■ afterwards lunched- together.; on board the Union Company's steamer Maheno. ; ,