SEAMEN'S WAGES

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 67, 16 September 1918, Page 8

SEAMEN'S WAGES

BIG INCREASE TO BE DEMANDED

NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA

IN LINE,

The demand for increased wages is, apparently, becoming universal. The cases for the coalminers, the tramwaymen, the railway officers, and the police, to mention only the more important sections, have already been before the public. There have been numerous other disputes under consideration, and in practically every case slight increases have been granted. Now come the seamen, with the prospect of the drivers' dispute in the near future.

A cable message /published in The Post on Saturday (announced that the Australian seamen were demanding a 50 per cent, increase. Although a Post reporter was unable to officially confirm the fact, it is understood that.the Seamen's Federation in New Zealand has also made a demand on the employers— one. for 25 per -cent, increase in the coastal ■ and intercolonial trade, and 50 per cent, increase in the Home trade.

The present industrial ■ agreement affecting seamen was made on 9th March, 1917, with, a proviso that it should remain in force for the period of the war and for three months after the declaration of peace, the term, however., not to exceed three years. The parties to the agreement are the Northern Shipping Company, the New Zealand Shipowners' Federation, and the Union Company. Some of the wages how paid under the agreement are:—Able seamen, £11 per month; bosun, £12; firemen and cleaners, £13; ordinary seamen, 18 years and over, £7 10s; under 18 years, £6 ss.