LABOR'S UNREST.

Mataura Ensign, 26 January 1912, Page 6

LABOR'S UNREST.

SYDNEY WHARVES. MORE TROUBLE BREWING. SYDNEY, Jan. 25. Trouble has arisen on the coastal wharves. The men demand the rates conceded to the inter-State men and employers have temporarily conceded this pending a conference on Thursday. The deep sea men threaten trouble. They at present receive half a crown an hour for working during "smokeon's" and on holiday's, and they are asking for the inter-State men's rating —viz., three shillings.

In consequence of the wharf laborers' increased wages the stevedores are charging 2d per ton extra for loading cargo. While the rise in wages works out at £2314, the public will be charged the equivalent of £5400, or a profit to the stevedores of 130 per cent.

ARBITRATION ACT UPHELD. WELLINGTON, Jan. 25. After discussing the recent Waterside labor agreement in relation to its effect upon the business of 'the community, the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce to-day affirmed its confidence in the principle of the Arbitration Act and its regret that the existing lay had not been fully supported during the recent negotiations.

AUCKLAND WATERSIDERS

AUCKLAND, Jan. 25

Much interest is being taken in the curious position that has arisen in Auckland with regard to the waterside workers and some of the local shipowners. A conference between representatives of the Auckland waterside workers and representatives of the shipowners who have cited the men to attend a meeting of the Conciliation Council on Tuesday, was opened yesterday afternoon. When it became known that no common basis of agreement could be arrived at, rumors of the inevitable strike began to float about and to be taken more or less seriously. That, however, is hardly the correct assumption to make from the known circumstances. It may be said that, not only is a strike highly improbable; but it is entirely unnecessary. At the recent conference in Wellington between representatives of owners and waterside workers throughout the Dominion a common agreement was arrived at after ten days' discussion. The Auckland watersiders and 80 per cent, of the owners concerned in the shipping interests of Auckland were represented at the conference. In the meantime a section of Auckland shipowners had cited the men to appear before the Conciliation Commission with a view to having an agreement which should subsequently become an award, to take the place of the award which lapsed at the end of last year. Mr C. W. Holdsworth, who presided at the conference, wired to the section of owners who stood out, and suggested that they also send representatives; but the suggestion was not acted upon. The position now is that the Auckland Waterside Workers will not attend the sitting of the Conciliation Commission next week, so that that method of arriving at an agreement will not be practicable. The men wished the shipowners in question to fall into line with the agreement that has been ratified by the majority of the shipowners. If the matter is taken further to the Arbitration Court any agreement that may possibly be made need not, for practical purposes, it is claimed, affect the men. There will, it is held, be plenty of work for them with the shipping companies which, have agreed to the decision of the conference. The ballot which was commenced on Monday morning to determine whether the union favors the cancellation of its registration under the Arbitration Act following upon the decision of the Waterside Workers to join the Federation of Labor is proceeding.