WORK AND WAGES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15968, 29 June 1912, Page 11

WORK AND WAGES.

FRENCH DOCKERS' DISPUTE. United Proas Associ»tiou—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June 27.. The French Shipowners' Union ha» informed the Government that it de* clines arbitration in the dockers' dispute, but the Messageries Maritimes Company has accepted it. MERCHANT SERVICE GUILD. - (Pkk Press Association.] * WELLINGTON. June 28. Tho award of the Arbitration Coot* in the Merchant Service Guild dispute (relating to masters and officers) was filed with the clerk of awards to-day.. The award is based on the recommenda--; tions of the Conciliation Court. Mrt ' Justice Sim, .n a memorandum attach- : ed, said that the parties in the case had, agreed on a settlement of the dispute, and the terms agreed on were embodied in the recommendation of the Councilof Conciliation. The Union, after making this agreement through its duly; authorised agent, attempted to repudiate it. and asked the Court to alter the terms of tho ".greement so as to make the hours of work eightper day instead of fifty-six per week. That, of course, the. Union.could not be allowed to d 6, and tho award embodies the recommendation of the Council with some additions that were afterwards agreed on by the parties. The Huddart-Parker Company has been retained as a party to the award, but it seems clear that the company -vill not be bound by the award so far as it relates to round voyages which begin and end in Australian ports. The question as to whether the company will be bound by the award in anv other voyages in New Zealand waters could be left to be determined when a case arose. ARBITRATION COURT. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON. June 28. At tho Arbitration Court to-day, the Inspector of Awards proceeded against ■ Johnston and Co., agents for tho steamer Ripple, for £lO penaltv for a breach of "the Wellington Merchant Service Guild award regarding officers on small steamers. It was set out that the defendants had employed Ernest Tarshma as ■second mate from November 3. 1911. to June 11, 1912. and had failed to pay him in lieu of holidays in proportion ito his services, he having boon discharged for causes other than misconduct. For plaintiff it was urged that the case hinged on Clause 3 of the award, by which officers, after twelve months' service, are entitled te [*»«> teen days' holiday annually on full «ea pay. or if discharged for any other cause than misconduot, shall receive pavment in lieu of holiday in proportion to time of service from last noiidav or date of engagement. For tha defence it was contended that twelve months' continuous service was a condition precedent to a holiday, and that the man was onlv entitled to fourteen days' holiday after a year's service. Decision was reserved.