SHIPPING TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 89, 11 January 1923, Page 7

SHIPPING TROUBLE

SEAMEN’S WAGES AND HOURS

REDUCTION GRANTED IN QUEENSLAND

In the matter of the seamen’s award as it affects vessels trading in Queensland waters, Mr. Justice Powers in. the Commonwealth Arbitration Court has given judgment on an application to vary.

The principal claim, said Mr. Justice Powers, was one to reduce the rates per week in Queensland, because since the award was made the hours had been reduced from 54 to 48 a week. The union opposed all reductions. Numerous affidavits had been submitted by the parties, and argument had been heard in favour of and against the application. In his (Mr. | Powers’s) opinion, it was beyond, question that the Seamen’s Union in its 'agreements in Queensland had riglit- ' ly agreed to lower wages in all agree- ; ments made about tho tixno the rates I in question were fixed —when the hours 1 were 48. In the agreements produced, a proportionately lower rate was fixed for 48 hours than for 54 hours. It was also fair to fix rates on that basis, and it was usual for the Court to do so. lb was better ior i the workers to get 48 hours and overI time rates after 48 hours than to get i a rate based on 54 hours, and only get the ordinary rate for work done ' after 48 hours. That would be the effect of making the alteration agreed to and those who worked 54 hours : would get more after the variation ' than they did under their own agreeIment. Other reasons for the vanaI tion were that it was only fair considering the reduced cost of livmg since the rates were agreed to He, ■therefore, proposed to grant the application in regard to the alteration of the rates, but not in regard to the meal The variation effects the following Lxlimt.ione in rates Firemen, from '£4 19s. 6d. to- £4 13s. 6d.; deckhands. £4 12s. to £4 6s-: youths over 18 and tinder 21 .years £3 los. to £3 10s.: youths under 18 years, £3 <-s. to Ato’ Justice Powers ordered that the variation should take effect from December 21. SEAMEN RELEASED FROM PRISON TOLD THEY MUST SHIFT FOR THEMSELVES (Rec. January 11, 115 a.m.) Sydney, January 1O. # Since released from prison some nCnbers of the crews of the Moeraki and Waikawa have been given board and lodging at the expense of the Seamen’s Union. It is understood now that they have been mformed that this will not be continued longer. Hie men’s names are to bo transferred from the New Zealand to the Australian union roll, and they, have beeni told that they must sunt ior themsehe— Press Assn. _ THE ROSTER SYSTEM AUSTRALIAN COASTAL WESSEL HUNG UP. Brisbane, January 10. The seamen attempted to introduce the roster system on the small coastal steamer Porpoise. They informed the master that he cou d secure a crew from the list at the 'trades Hall. 1 his he refused to do. The vessel is hung up.—Press Assn. LABOUR DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS

.ASKS THAT SUSPENDED SECTIONS SHALL OPERATE. .

A deputation representing the New * Zealand Labour Party, the Federated Seamen’s Union, and the Alliance, or Labour yesterday waited on the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey) and the Minister of Labour and Manne (Mr. Ander-. son), to- request, it is understood, that those parts of the Seamen and Shipping Act which in normal times confined employment on the ships, to the members of the Seamen’s Union should be made to operate again. The operation of the normal manning repuirements has been suspended by toe Minister, under the authority of section 57 (1) of the Act, which reads as follows:— “The Minister may. if he thinks fit, andSipon such conditions (if any) as he thinks fit to impose, exempt any, ship from any -specified requirement contained in or prescribed in pursuance of the principal Act or of tfiis Act- or dispense with the observance of any such requirement in the case of any ship, if he is satisfied that requirement has been substantia ly eomnlied with in tho case of that ship, or that compliance with the requirement is unnecessary in the clrc ’!™ - stances of the case, and that the action taken or provision made as respects the subject-matter of the requirement m the case'of the shin is as effective as, or more, effective than, actual compliance with the requirement. ’ Tlio interview was held m camera at the rcauest of tlm deputation. At the conclusion the Press representatives were informal tbM, there was no statment for publication.