LABOR DISPUTES.

Mataura Ensign, 15 March 1909, Page 4

LABOR DISPUTES.

A SEAMAN'S HOURS. PEU UNITED I'UESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, March 12. At tho Magistrate's Court to-diiv, before Dr. McArthur, the Wellington Seamen's Industrial Union of Workers proceeded against the Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd., for an alleged breach of the Arbitration Court award of April I, 11)08. Tile claim concerned the payment of Win. Lindquisi, a quarterdeck hand.

Mr W. T. Young represented the Seamen's Cuiuii, and Mr Kirby tin- I'nion Steam Ship Company. All Young said the principle involved was one of fight, limit's a day. AVilliani Linclquisf, a (piurtordeok liaud on the Maon, had been compelled to work nine hours a day for six day* of Ihe week and n couple of hours on Sunday prior to the vessel's arrival in purl without receiving any overtime whilst ostensibly under an eight-hours .system. Mr Kirbv, on behalf of the company admitted the t'ncts. II .Mr Young's contentions were approved bv the Court it would make a difference. «>f £I2OO tier milium to the I'nion Company. After dealing with certain arguments of the secretary of the union, lie xaid that, so long as a seaman was on deck he was on watch there, to bi> called upon at any time. Xo overtime should be paid between the hours of (J a.m and .3 p.m at, sea. The practice of his company was a universal one ami was sanctioned by custom.

His MV.i'ship reserve.l his decision „„. Id the 1!.)lli nisi. HJOIHTIXi; MIXEKS' WAGES. nv electric TEi.EORAru.— coi'vhiout. I'Elt UNITED I'ltL'SS ASSOCIATION. LONDON, .March 13 Lord .lames of Hereford, acting in an independent capacity ils chairman ni tile Coal Conciliation Hoard, decided on a reduction of ,-, per cent, in miners' wages ruling in England and North Wales. , r '°" l , St ' -Utlwyn. as arbitrator under the Welsh Conciliation Hoard, recently decided on a reduction of 5 per cent, in miners' wages, Lord, Aid wall, actin" similarly for the Scottish Hoard, reduced the wages by G\ per cent.