WATERSIDE TROUBLE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17157, 2 May 1916, Page 2

WATERSIDE TROUBLE.

LYTTELTON MEN REFUSE TO

UNLOAD COLLIER

HIGHER PAY WANTED. On the arrival of the British Imperial Oil Company's steamer Cyrena at Lyttelton lust week, the Lyttelton Wharf Labourers' Union demanded an increase in wages to 2s per hour, thus placing the rat? on tin- same footing as that paid in Wellington and other ports where the watersiders are parties to the new agreement. Rather than causa any trouble to the vessel's itinerary, the agents conceded the demand and work proceeded as usual. _ On (Sunday the .Melbourne Steamship Company's collier Melbourne arrived in port with about 2000 tons of Newcastle coal, consigned to Messrs Redpath and Sons. Discharging operations were to have commenced at 8 a.m. yesterday, but when the timti came for the men to be booked for the job no on* offered his services, with the result that work was hung up. Upon inquiry it transpired that the holding up of the vessel was due to the demands of the men that the agents would concede the same rate of pay as that paid elsewhere, viz., Is lid i>er hour, instead of Is Bd. The agents'decided not to grant the increase, and work was suspended indefinitely. . A meeting of employers was held in Christchureh vestcrday afternoon, and it is understood that the question of the Melbourne and other matters pertaining to the waterfront were discussed. Subsequently it was rumoured that the vessel would proceed to Tiraam, where her cargo would bo discharged. . , If the vessel goes to Timaru it is estimated that the men will have lost about £llO in wages, and the South Canterbury town will benefit to that extent. To 'this must also be added a. further sum, which would have been paid to members of the Railway Union who were deprived, of the work of handling the coal over the ship's side. It was stated last night that .there was no announcement to make in respect to the. meeting of employers hold yesterday afternoon.