THE SEAMEN'S DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18180, 28 August 1922, Page 9

THE SEAMEN'S DISPUTE.

PATEA-WELLINGTON TRADE. DECKEASE IN BUSINESS. COAL AND VICTUALLING. [BT TELEGRAPH.-—PEESS ASSOCIATION.} WELLINGTON. Saturday. The seamen's dispute was before the Arbitration Court again to-day, when the conditions in the Wellington-Patea trade were the chief subject of discussion. Mr. William H. G. Bennett, managing director of the Kapiti Steamship Company and a director of the South Taranaki Steamship Company, adhered firmly to the employers' wage proposals and opposed the idea of payment by the day. He admitted the company's expenses in victualling and coal were a little affected by the reduced prices at present. Mr. W. T. Young: You have referred, Mr. Bennett, to the alleged falling off in the Wellington-Patea trade. Witness: It is not alleged; it is an actual fact. t "It may save time," Baid witness at a later stage, "if I say at once that I am in accord with the employers' proposals. I am quite prepared to support the whole lot. In regard to the union's proposals, I disagree with theai lam prepared to oppose them. That is my position, speaking generally."

Mr. M. J. Bcardon: There is another question, Mr. Bennett. How far do the employers' proposals depart from the present agreement, and if they depart from the present agreement why do they so depart ?

Witness: I should have added this to my statement. When I said that I opposed the claims of the union I should also have said in so far as they do not agree with the employers' proposals. Mr. Reardon: Or the present award? Witness: No, I am not satisfied with the present award. Mr. Justice Erazer: It is always a legitimate ground for discussion. Whenever a new award is sought and where the new award seeks to depart from the old award the Court takes the old award as the standard, and it is for each side to show why the claims they put forward should bo adopted. We assume that the old award is satisfactory, and it is for each side to show us what provisions are unsatisfactory. Mr. Bennett has defined his position. Mr. Young (to witness): Where has been a big reduction in the cost of living ? Witness: Yes. The cost of living affects me as well as anybody else. I am not a millionaire.

Mr. Young: You hold there has been a reduction in the co&4 of living ? Witness: Yes. The report of th© Government Statistician shows that.

Mr. Young: Can you tell us what benefit you have derived in that way ? Witness: We have not benefited from it very much. I am referring to the victualling of ships. His Honor: And as to coal ?

Witness: In coaling there has been practically no reduction. There has been a fall of *9d.

Mr. Reardon: There has been a fall in coal during the last six months. Witness: We have not benefited so much. I remember when it was 18s a ton. I think we are paying £2 6s now. With regard to victualling, prior to the last six months we had a contract, His Honor: Are you saving anything on that? Witness: At the present time we are doing it under a different system'and we hava made a slight saving. After discussion on wages and hours His Honor said it seemed as if both sides were agreed to adopt the 30-day-a-month svstert instead of varying 30 days and 28 days. Mr. Young (to witness): Are -the finances of your company all right? Witness: Our company is prepared to pay any award which this Court may decide. * *