FEDERATED SEAMEN'S UNION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 214, 3 June 1908, Page 8

FEDERATED SEAMEN'S UNION.

A meeting of the Federated Seamen's Union of Australasia was held last evening. A communication was received from the Agricultural and Pastoral Labourers' 'Union intimating that the Union lias been before the Conciliation Board for some time with "its dispute, in which 223 witnesses had been examined at from 13 to' 14 different centres.' It was also stated that" the typewriting bill of'the Union'.amounted to at least £220, and in addition to that the Unionhad been practically forced to pay a portion of ■ the expenses for the Board's copies of evidence, because the Government refused to pay. The Union appealed'for financial assistance, and , also pointed out that the Farmers' Union throughout the Dominion was trying to induce the Government to exclude farm' labourers from tho Concilia'.' n and Arbitration Act. It was resolved, to voto the Agricultural Labourers'£s ss. as a first donation, and the following resolution was carried unanimously: "That this Union protests against the suggestion made air over tho colony by the Farmers' Union, that tho Arbitration Act-bo made inoperative over farm labourers, and that the Government bo urged to maintain the present Act as far as farm labourers'are concerned." . \ '. A letter was received, from Messrs/ Richardson'and Co., Napier, owners'] of tho steamer Kahu, refusing to overtime to the firemen on that vessel for keeping steam for cargo at bays -and roadsteads on Sundays. It was decided'to cite''the companybeforo the Court for a breach of the' award. A long letter sent to the Marine Department was read, claiming the, benefits , under tho. Shipping and Seamen Act :for John. Peebles, dohkeyman, of' the steamer Arahura, for the time .he had been' on shore with illness; contracted,, on board that vessel. In this caso it was out that the Marino Department,. through .the shipping master,, informed the . Union that ■ a sea:'' man could not claim under the: Act-'Unless the .illness was contracted during the currency of the articles in operation when he was _ invalided' on 'shoi-e..' To this j'the Union replies pointing out that: such a contention is' not/in accordance with the ruling- of. the 'Westporf Magistrate's Court-and" the Westland District Coutt in the case/ of Richmond,a fireman-on'the Canopus, v. Lobb. The Federation asked that .' Peebles : should be paid his wages medical expenses in tefmg..of' tho Act; in accordance with the' abovo . decisions.. Up .to the 'present,, no reply has : been . received from the. ■ment. ■ _ •Tho meeting considered the objective." of tho 'Labour Representation/Committee,. \vhich reads as under:—"Socialisation of the . moans 'of ' production, distribution,' and exchange, united actiori- forvthe purpose' of roturning'. candidjtes .pledged' to', form,'a distinct grbui) '.in'^Parliament,' such' the "Goyeromerit : 'br : Opp'osit'ion' parties;'■ no fur-, ther .'sale-of Crown , lands ; ;.t'ax':.on, unimproved ' valuo of, !.land, 'State „to check, paymentof: probate ''-duties : "on '• "land"; valuation 'of. urban • land'- every ten years'; half , of ' any ': increase to go to State or ;local' body,;' "equal pay' for' equal work; weekly- day of rest for' all workers;: abolition of the Legislative Council; adult suffrage in : all elections arid on loan proposals; a white Now Zealand; State control of monopolies; State' Bank, with solo right to t note issue." It was' unanimously'-decided to endorse tho objective-of the committee.