WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15901, 12 April 1912, Page 7

WORK AND WAGES.

NO STRIKE FOR POSTAL SERVANTS.

United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, April 10.

The Postal Servants’ Conference at Bristol, by 98 votes to 47, resolved that it was improper for postal workers to strike, State employment entailing special responsibilities. THE LITHGOW STRIKE. SYDNEY, April 11. Although the Lithgow strike has not yet been officially declared off, the embargo on Lithgow iron, which caused th© stoppage of the Sydney foundries, has been removed, and the men have resumed.

THE AFTERNOON SHIFT. SYDNEY, April 11

A considerable section of tho coalminers are changing front in regard to tho abolition of the afternoon shift, fearing the result of throwing many out of employment.

MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD. MELBOURNE, April 11

The Federal Arbitration Court award in tho case of the Merchant Service Guild against the steamship owners provides for an all-round increase in the wages of the captains and officers on interstate passenger and cargo vessels, an eight-hour day, overtime payment, and increased holidays; one month’s notice or pay after Hires months’ service when the officers’ articles are expiring. The president reserved further consideration of the question whether the award should apply, or to’ what extent, to the boats of the Union Company, Hnddart-Parker’s, and a number of other companies trading outside Australia. The award is proposed to have a currency of five years, operating from May 1.

The Guild expresses satisfaction with the award, but the shipowners of Sydney question the power of the Court to deal with vessels trading within one State only, and predict that the increased cost involved will bo disastrous to the shipping trade, which will be driven into the hands of the big foreign companies, otherwise all the increases must be passed on to tho public, as the shipowners cannot bear them. BRICKLAYERS. MELBOURNE, April 11. Tho issue of a circular by tho Bricklayers’ Union that tho Government requires 700 bricklayers, guaranteed two years’ work at the best rates, and reporting that the full number have applied, is alarming tho builders, who declare that it will paralyso the private bidding trade, which is unable now to fill its requirements for bricklayers.

TRADES’ CONFERENCE.

THE WORKERS COMPENSATION

ACT. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 11. Amendments to the Workers Compensation for Acoidents Act were discussed at the Trades and Labour Councils’ Conference to-day. It was resolved that the Act should be amended in the direction of nullifying any agreement that might be entered into with any insurance company and any person entitled to compensation. Several speakers stated that frequently workers were induced by representatives of insurance companies to sign away part of their rights. It was also agreed that the Act should bo amended to take away the power from tho Judge which allowed him to withhold compensation unless the patient eubmitted to an anaesthetic for an operation. A further motion was passed as follows:— ** That in the opinion of this Conference the whole of the insurance business in connection with the Workers Compensation Act should be taken over by the State.”

A COMPENSATION CASE. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 11

Judgment in a compensation case hoard by tho Arbitration Court at Napier has been filed by Mr Justice Sim. Plaintiff was Grace Holland, widow of Sievert Holland, and defendants wore Richardson and Co. Sievort Holland, who Was master of the lighter Moa, owned by Richardson and 00., was accidentally drowned at Port Ahuriri on July 27, 1911. The lighter was lying alongside tho wharf at Port Ahuriri on July 26, and it was part of deceased’s duty to inspect the lighter’s moorings each night. ' This ho usually did shortly before going to bed. Plaintiff alleged that deceased met his death doing his duty and that the accident arose out of his employment. The evidenco showed that deceased left the steamer Ruru between midnight and ono o’clock on July 27, and went along in the direction of the Moa. He had said he was going home. On July 31 lii.s body was found within a few yards of the spot where the Moa was lying oil July 26. Mr Justice Sim said it was admitted that the drowning was accidental, and if the facts justified such inference the Court was entitled to conclude that the accident arose out of and in the course of deceased’s employment, although no human being was present who could give direct evidence how the accident happened. Deceased intended to visit the lighter on his way homo, and the Court inferred that deceased reached the scene of his duty and fell in while doing something in connection with the lighter. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £SOO, costs £2 12s and disbursements and witnesses’ expenses, the widow to get £IOO for her own use, and the balance to bo paid into Court and wait further order of the Court.

TPeh Press Association.l * WELLINGTON, April 11

The Shearers’ Conference decided to establish a head office at Wellington not later than September 1. In reply to the timber workers’ deputation, the Hon G. Laurenson stated that lie supported Statutory preference to unionists. The chairman of the Wellington Woollen Company states that, the Arbitration Court award in the mill dispute is unlikely to have any serious effect on New Zealand’s woollen industry. Although some increases were granted, nothing like the original demands of the Union have been acceded to.

PAINTERS AND DECORATORS’ CONFERENCE. [Pxr Press Association.l DUNEDIN, April 11. At tho Conference of tho Painters and Decorators’ Unions to-day, a set of claims for a dominion award was drafted, the terms of which will have to bo ratified bv the Union before anything else con be done. A number of suggested amendments to the Conciliation and Arbitration Act were considered, and it was decided to present them to Parliament. A number of amendments in the constitution of the Federation was also deckled on. A model award was drafted, the intention being to apply for a dominion award as scon as the present one expires. The next confaranca will ba held in Nanwr. During

the next three years the managing executive will meet in Wellington.

THE TROUBLE AT DENNISTON. [Per Press Association.] WESTPORT April 11. The deadlock at the Westport Coal Company’s Denniston mines continues, attempts to come to an amicable settlement to-day proving abortive. The Union claims that firemen have been employed for the last four or five years, and it has only lately been decided to do away with them. They consider it unsafe for a man to be in charge of engines at night with no one else in attendance. Another, meeting is to be held to-morrow. Mr Dowgrav, of the executive of the Federation of Labour, null proceed to Denniston in the morning to try to arrive at an amicable settlement of the matter in dispute.