THE THREATENED STRIKE OF MARINE ENGINEERS.

Evening Post, Volume LIII, Issue 4, 6 January 1897, Page 5

THE THREATENED STRIKE OF MARINE ENGINEERS.

A TEMPORARY SETTLEMENT. THE FINAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT SYDNEY. [press association.] Stdney, sth January. The engineers' strike has been amicably settled for the present. At any rate, the men accept the owners' offer of an increase in wages and provision for 24 hours' notice on condition that all other demands shall be submitted to the conference which is to take place this week at Sydney. Every credit^ is due to the Sydney shipowners for bringing the matter to a peaceful issue. The moderate tone shown contrasts favourably with the rather bombastic attitude of the Victorian Association. The change of venue of the conference to Sydney will be appreciated by both parties. (Eeceived January 6, 10.30 a.m.) 'Adelaide, This Day. As the Adelaide .Steamship Company seceded from the Steamship Owners' Association, that company was not a party to the negotiations for arranging the recent difficulty with the engineers. A cable message received to-day by Mr. Jt Fawcus, Resident Secretary for New Zealand of the Australasian Engineers' Association, says : — " Settled two first clauses ; any other matter to be referred to a conference." This, we gather, means that the 24 hours' clause, or the right to be discharged on giving such notice at home ports, has been conceded by the Steamship Owners' Association, and also the claim for an increase of 10 per cent, wages, which is only a demand for the reinstatement of what the engineers voluntarily conceded three years ago, when trade was bad. The other two matters of dispute — fourth engineers on steamers and greasers on eaoh watch when running 400 miles, in the case of vessels of 200 nominal horse-power, and the question of wages to be paid on chartered steamers— are held in abeyance until a conference is held by the two Associations.