WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10105, 2 August 1893, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

[Special to Press Association.] LONDON, July 31

Mr Ben Tillett says that since its inception the Dockers’ Union has been the means of having the total amount paid in wages to the men increased by two millions sterling. SYDNEY, August 1. All the steamship owners have adopted the reduced rates, and do not feel called upon to notice the resolution of the recent ballot of seamen. UNION STEAMSHIP COMPANY. REDUCTION OF WAGES. [prom our special correspondent.] ' WELLINGTON, August 1. With reference to the Union Steamship Company’s circular notifying a reduction of wages of seamen and others, it is noticeable that there is a clause intimating this to be merely tha first step towards the carrying out of a .general scheme of reductions. I understand that the intention is, next month, to intimate similar reductions to all classes of the Company’s employees, including engineers, masters, pursers and general shore hands. The reason for the postponement of dealing with these classes of employees is probably to be found in the fact that there is an agreement between the Company and the Engineers’ Association on the subject of wages, which doea not expire until September next.

[Per Press Association.] DUN a! DIN, August 1,

The Union Steamship Company has issued the following notice to the crews of the Company’s steamers "It is with regret that the Directors of the Company have to announce that in consequence of the great shrinkage in trade resulting from the severe commercial depreasion in Australia, they are compe'lsd to effect economies in expenditure wherever possible. Since 1890 the business of the Company has not shown satisfactory results, and dividends have gradually declined. Last year the profit on working account was so small that it was found necessary to encroach upon the insurance fund to enable the payment of a dividend at the rate o£ 6 per cent per annum. There being no immediate prospect of any general improvement in trade the Directors have no option but to follow the example of shipowners in Australia, and ask their employees to accept reduced rates of pay in cases where the wages paid warrant a reduction. The first step in this direction must naturally be taken with the crews of the Company’s steamers, which form by far the moat numerous class of their employees. The Directors «ra of opinion that the circumstances of this Colony are. not so unfavourable as to necessitate stonce so sweeping a reduction as has been made in Australia, where the wages of seamen, firemen and trimmers have been reduced by £2 per month, and they also recognise that membership of the Mutual Benefit Society and its accompanying obligation, should be taken into consideration in connection with the question of wages. Tse present rate of wages of sf amen was fixed in 1881, when trade generally was brisk and prosperous. The increase then granted has been enjoyed for nine years now, although for a considerable portion of that period the profits of the shipowners have been steadily decreasing. The Directors, therefore, feel warranted in asking their crews to accept a redaction in wages of £1 per month, or one-half the reduction that has been established in Australia. This will make the wages in the Company’s coastal steamers and the intercolonial boats trading with New Zealand—Seamen £6, trimmers .£6, firemen .€B, greasers .£B, and they also propose to fix the rate of overtime at lo per hour. Hitherto the rate of overtime in the Company’s employ has been Is 6d per hour, although the rate in Australia for the last three years has only been la per hour, so that during that period the Company’s men have been enjoying an advance of 6d per hour ever the crews in Australian steamers. The Directors feel it is due to their men to give reasonable notice of the proposed change, and have therefore decided not to bring the reduced rates of pay into operation till Sept. 1. This will give the men ample time to weigh the proposal carefnllyi and to fully consider the position in connection with the circumstances ruling both in this and the neighbouring Colonies, The directors earnestly hope that the men will recognise that the present proposal is rendered imperative by the unsatisfactory state of business. They also wish their employees to understand that should trade so improve as to result in satisfactory returns being secured it is not tbeir intention to make any further reduction.”

THE UNEMPLOYED. The unemployed met in Cathedral square yesterday, when there were about thirty men present. It wan unanimously resolved that a telegram ba sent to Mr E. M. Taylor, M.H.K., urging him to bring the unemployed difficulty prominently before the House at an early date. A special meeting of tha Springs Road Board was held on Monday evening; preadetd—Messrs J. A. Fan-nett (Chairman), Wills, Woodward and Wolfe. The Chairman explained that the mooting was called to consider an offer made by the Selwyn County Council to subsidise the Board £ for £ to £2O, with a via w of finding employment for soma of tha unemployed now in Christchurch. After discussion Mr Wills moved and Mr Woodward seconded, “Thau the Board find work for four of the unemployed for about one month, breaking metal on the roads in the district at 3b per cubic yard.” The clerk waa instructed to attend the Labour Bureau and select four of the most necessitous cases. It waa also decided to inform the Council to what extent the Board would assist in the matter. This being all the business, the meeting terminated.