THE UNION COMPANY'S CIRCULAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LV, Issue 9970, 3 August 1893, Page 2

THE UNION COMPANY'S CIRCULAR.

WHAT THE MEN THINK OP IT.

The announcement of the proposed re duotlon to he made by the Union Steam Snip Company in the wages of the crews of their steamers as from the Ist September, has natdrally enough created some little etlr t although it was not altogether unexpected by the men. Seeing that the proposed reduction is brought about by the depression la trade, the men do not riUe any objection to It, but they do claim most emphatically that, under the circumstances, the Mutual Benefit Society, which they are compelled to contribute to, should be abolished. This is an old grievance with them,- and they tbiak that as they are willing to make the sacrifice In regard to their wages,* that the company should make a concession to them, and completely abolish the society altogather. The hands, it may bo stat-.d, pay from 3s 9d to 7s each, according to age, to the funds of the society bub whit they most strongly object to is that it is compulsory for them “to join the society. That's where the shoe pinches. As to the reduction in the payment for overtime iho men did nob expect that. In anticipation that the reduction would be made, the men were asked by circular a short time ngo whether they would agree to a redaction on condition that the compulsory joining of the Benefit Society was done away with, and the unanimous answer was that they would agree to a reduction on the con* dition named. They were also asked whether they would agree to arrange for a conference with the company, and they unanimously replied la the affirmative. It is the Intention of a number of the men to seek an interview with the comnaoy’s officials at Dunedin, and give their views on the matter.

In reference to the statement made by Mr Mills that since the strike no redaction has been male in wages, the Seaman’s Union state that the number of hands employed on the steamers has been reduced. For in> stance, it was pointed out to ua that there is one greaser less on the Mabinapua since the strike, and two less in the Grafton, and similar redactions In the other ooastpl boats, while in the intercolonial steamers there are four hands lees.

Many of the hands express great astonishment at the concluding sentence of Mr Mills’ circular—’that should trade so im» Improve as to result in satisfactory returns being secured, it is not their intention to make any further reduction.’ Tcey say that a veiled threat as to further reduction should not have been made, and they think that If trade improves their wages should be reinstated.