SHIP'S OFFICERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18170, 16 August 1922, Page 10

SHIP'S OFFICERS.

DISPUTE BEFORE COURT*

CASE FOR UNION COMPANY.

WAGES AND HOURS OF WORK. [BY TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ' ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Tuesday.

Tho Arbitration Court continued today tho (hearing of tho dispute connected with tho shipping industry. The case iu point was that of masters and officers, and application for an award was made by tho Union Company. A number of clausos had been settled in the conciliation council stage, and the questions of wages, hours, and a number of the guild's counter-proposals had been referred to the Court for settlement.

Mr„,W. C. Smith, for the Union Company, said that in the matter of wages further bonuses had been allowed to all masters and officers, amounting to £2 a month, since the 1919 agreement. This bonus had recently been reduced by 26s 8d a month, in accordance with the Court's general order. The total increase, including bonus, in the basic wage for the lowest paid officer (fourth) over prewar rates, was 70 per cent., or in tho rase of third officers, 72.7 per cent. Aj» these increases far exceeded any increase in the cost of living, there was every justification for a substantial reduction. The employers were asking for a 20 per cent, reduction on the rates fixed by .the 1919 agreement,, with £2 added. The wages on United Kingdom vessels, from which the company 'had now to face keen competition, had been reduced by amounts from £3 10s for first officers, to £7 a month for fourth mates. On United Kingdom vessels practically no overtime was paid, and on United States vessel* no overtime at all. Tho guild was ask ing for a continuation of the 1919 agreement, with a £2 bonus added. In regard to hours, the employers were asking for a return to the 56-hour week. Owing to the nature of the shipping business it was absolutely necessary to have as much elasticity as possible in regard to working hours. For instance, at sea. in addition to his watch, a chief officer had" to make rounds between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., and give instructions as to the work carried on during the day. This duty involved under the present agreement the payment of overtime. In port overtime had to be paid for an officer's attendance on board between Bp.m. and 10 p.m., although ho might not have been on dutv at all during the dav. If an officer's hours were fixed at 56 per week at sea, or in port, a system of relief could easily be arranged, without excessive hours. The employers offered the very strongest objection to the guild's claim for fixed hours and overtime for masters. The principle of giving overtime t>> men in positions of trust was thoroughly bad. Incidentally, Mr. Smith urged strongly again that Australian awards should not be accepted as a guide for New Zealand ac tho conditions here -were different. Australian shins were fully protected under the Navijcition Act, whereas New Zealand shins were competing in the world market. Evidence on ttie points at issue was heard. It w a3 stated that thitgs went better on shins when there was no fixeo. 56-hour week. The hearing was adjourned.