COASTAL ENGINEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18218, 11 October 1922, Page 10

COASTAL ENGINEERS.

OWNERS RESIST DEMANDS. REDUCTION IN PAY ASKED. [BT TELEGBArH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The Arbitration Court to-day commenced the hearing of the dispute in reference to the pay and conditions .of the engine-room staffs of steamers engaged in the coastal trade of the Dominion. The shipping com- i panics asked for a new award to meet the existing state of coastal shipping business. In opening the companies' case, Mr. B. L. Hammond, explained that the coastal shipping companies were compelled by. conditions of trade to seek for some relief in the matter of wages and conditions of labour. They had not, however, sought any drastio alterations from the present conditions. The main difference lay in the matter of wages in respect of which th<> companies were asking for a 15 per cent reduction. In the case of coastal companies, trade competition, running conditions and many other factors rendered inequitable the conditions which might reasonably be applied in respect of larger vessels. The present time was inopportune for granting further privileges and concessions. To do so would increase freights. Many of the Institute's proposals were quite unworkable while others almost savoured of Sovietism. For instance, the aggregate time off asked | for by the Institute totalled 101 days iin the year. Other claims were equally outrageous. Evidence was then called.