SEAMEN'S WAGES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12394, 2 July 1902, Page 4

SEAMEN'S WAGES.

'The await} of, .tie Arbitration Court in, the djspnte jilie Seamen's TJnion find' tlin, steamship-owners of the colony does 'hqt disturb' the prevailing rate of wages. The Unjan sought an increase of 10s per-month in the men's ivagep, which, if jihe C6ur£ had favourably considered' this .reqtjest, would have been increased , to £7 per ,month for seamen and -ep pe.r montji for firemen and greasers, 'The, most'was made by the representatives of. the Union, during the hearing of the' dispute, of the' circumstance thjat figure to which they asked that the wages should be raised is that obtaining in. Australia. Even while, the'' Court )vas considering its ■deoisipu (he result of the inter-State conference , at , Sydney between the steamship-owners and the Seamen's Union, whereby the present rates of pay are to be continued in Australia for a perio.d of sis' month's,. was announced. But it is expressly stipulated that unless an improvement in the shipping trade takes place in''the-interval the Seamen's Union in Australia will voluntarily submit to a reduction, on the 31st January next, in the raises of seamen's and liremen's wages to the level that lias been recognised in Now Zealand for several years, As ;i. matter of .fact the shipowners in Australia have never admitted that. the increase in the wages which they conceded, 12 months ago was justified, by tlio statu of the shipping trade. Their argument .on this point is distinctly weakened, on the other hand, by their agreement to continue to pay the merer,.sod rates for a further period—a' short period tjiough that' is. But there, is no valid reason why the Australian .scale of wages should govern tho New 'Zealand scale. The introduction .of the Cqnunonwenlth tariff lias rendered this polony's isolation more complete than it was before, And it has seriously affected the intercolonial shipping trade. " While stock in Queens-: land and New South Wales are starving for want of feed prohibitive Customs duties are keeping out the New Zealand produce that would bo invaluable in saving the herds and flocks. If tliero was ever a time wlion a protective tariff might ho expected to fail to stop imports, that timo is now being experienced iii Australia. -Yet it is matter of notoriety that the tariff has in fact prohihit'ed the importation of tho commodities that are urgently 'needed for therelief of the distress which tlio drought lias produced. The effect of the tariff upon the trade- of .'the Union Steam Ship Company was strikingly shown in the evidence that was given* before the Arbitration Court. A comparison of tho: company's cargo earnings iu the intercolonial trade for the six months following the introduction by Mr Kingston of tho Federal tariff with the returns for tho .preceding six months showed i decrease.of £19,000; and this related to the poorer half of the year. Duriii"the winter months the produce traffic reaches its chief dimensions. The managing director -. of tho company, looking at the whole circumstances, estimates the reduction in the company's cargo earnings in the intercolonial trade :at £10,000 a year. Whoir it is remembered that large quantities of produce have been shipped from New Zealand to Australia for transhipment to South Africa, so. that ,a good deal of the intercolonial trade has lately been of what may he called a fictitious or an accidental character, the figures showing the effect which the Federal tariff lias had on the shipping trade will he acknowledged to he most significant. The Arbitration Court has, it is plain, been greatly impressed by them, and 'a majority of its members, having j'egard, to the uncertainty there is as to t!IP ultimate effect which the tariff

may. havo upon the 'trade of Near. Zealand, havo decided that it is inopportune to grant an increase of rates that, would involve the Union Company in' an additional expenditure of several thousands of pounds annually upon wages.

The third pc-ssion of the fourteenth Parliament of New Zealand was opened yesterday, and was notable for the briefness of the cortmnny and the businesslike manner in which everything was got over. Both Houses adopted addresses of sympathy with the King in his illness, and expressing a hope for his .Majesty's speedy recovery. Both also adopted motions expressing regret nt the death of tho Hon. Mr Shrimski and Mr Arthur Morrison, and then adjourned' out of respect to their momory.

Yesterday was the date for the ,com- v mencement of tho new railway tinie." table and the acceleration of . tlie service generally. Everything ."worked smoothly, and passengers much appreciate tho amendments, particularly in regard' io' the oxpres3 service;. The powerful effect; of the Westinghouso brake in bringing tliqtrain to a standstill was very noticeable in the case of the north express yesterday, the ■ object being accomplished in less than the' (rain's own length, and without jolt or jar. .

home interest was caused amongst passengers by the north express yesterday by the night a scrub lire on top of a liigb, : isolated hill in the country below Waikouaiti. The lull was some distance' itway,and, in the still air, the Bmoke hung round the summit and then ascended in spiral form for a short distance, forming out into, a largo dark cloud. The effect was remarkably similar to a mountain in oruptionj' and the flames, occasionally leaping up tt nd lighting the smoko cloiu), added tho bright glare which is a feature of the average volcano. ■ ■

Tire secretary of tlio Otogo Agricultural and Pastoral Society lia3 furnished us with' the results of the competitions at tins: Winter show in guessing tlio dressed weights', a five sheep and a bullock that were on" exhibition. In the case of the sheep, theweight was ascertained to be 4 3321b. Thij fras correctly guessed by Air G. S, Wilson;' of Glenomaru, while Mr 0. A. Knowles, of. Woodlands, was within an ace of being right, for his estimate was 33131b, The : guesses ranged from 23311) to 63241b. v 'fhe. weight of tlie bullock \vas-7HJb, and, this' was correctly guessed by Mr W. B. Fleming, ■> of Rakaho'uka. There were two guesses l ; f. 71-Ulb, and, on a ballot being taken,. Mr R. Ellison, of Atliol place, was' placed second. 'No lady succewled in giving a' correct, estimate' of the animal's weight, but' no fewer than six competitors tied, and, rV a ballot beine; taken, Mis- Wilson', of' Allanton, with a gues3 of 7151b, was 1 declared to be the winner of the' Singer sow-! ing machine -which was offered as a prize in this competition. '

The opening of -tlio new Law Courts at' Dunedrn provides a notable and interesting' group of almost the whole of the legal profession of the city for tins week's Witness, included in the group being the tliroe mem-' bevs of the Ministry wlio took part in the ceremony, and Dunedin's lady barrister..' Another interesting group of leading oiti-' ?,&ns show.? the • -llootor, the Ministerial Piirty, and others present at the inauguration of the Harvey Memorial 'Tablet at; the Boys' High School. The agricultural show hulks large in this week's ;<|l!ustia r ; tions; there are sovoral pictures connected with the recent Maori carnival in the Chorfll' Hall, of the treat to the'poor children on' Coronation Day, portraits of tha. latiT Anglican Primate (Rtehop Cowio) and <?f tlio Acting-Primate (Bishop Noyill), public build- • ings of Dunedin and Oamarn, the 1 recent presentation at Invsrcargill to Sir J, G., Ward, the winding wheel at the Wealth of Nations mipe, Repfton, troopers, group's,' etc. This week's Witness is probably the largest' weekly paper over issued in New Zealand, containing as it .docs no less than 92 pages.

The monthly meeting' of the • l George street Sohool Committee, hold last evening, was attended by Messrs Adams (chairman), Barnes, Duncan, Farra, Hutchison,' Jones, Maitland, Mollisou, and Peake. Tho Works Committee reported-that the tender of Clears J. and N, Wood, at £105 15s, (pr the erection of the shelter sheds had been accepted. An application from Mr-W. A. Gibb for the use of the gymnasium on two evenings in the weok, foi> physical culture classes was referred to tlio Gymnasium (Cptflmittee. The final arrangements were made for the concert to be, hold iu the, sohool gymnasium on the following (this) evening m aid of tho fund for the erection of the shelter shed.. _ ■ . .

We regret to learn that .tho health of Mr Thomas Callendor, who has been .laid aside for the past three weoka owing to serious illness, is causing his relatives some anxiety. ' i .. A man was arrested last niglit on a charge of stealing a tablecloth, and the police now require an owner for tlio property; ' , Some curious examples of ignorance -of the Bible came under tlio notico of a British Weekly correspondent who has just returneid from travelling in Sicily. When the guide was showing the party the place in Syracuse u'liero St. Paul is supposed to have preached, a gentleman said: "But-this!.is all guesswork. How do .we know St. Paul was ever at Syracuse?" A lady ivho was

"doing" Rome showed an .even more surprising want of acquaintance with 'the fact of St. Paul's career. " I have been reading Hare's 'Walks in Rome,"' she said, "a wonderful nook. It gives one so muph information that cannot be found elsewhere, > For instance, he Eays that St. Paul was a tent-maker." ' .

it would probably alter the not' very high opinion held by most sensible people of the American tnwts if it could bo shown thai they were of Divine origin. That ap- : penis to, be the view held by Mr Rockefeller, jun,, who is' described 'by a 'trade journal as "a goody-goody young man. He never smokes, drinks, nor swears, and devotes his spare time tp religious work," Recently, addressing tho students qf Brown .University, lie said:—"Trusts aro products of Divine law, and the Standard Oil Corporation resembles the American beauty rose, whoso perfection is obtained by killing the buds around it." Last week, in jhp course of a sermon, lie said the Church, of God was like unto a trust, and exhorted his heavers io become shareholders rather iliaij try- to do spiritual business individually, Yonng Mr Rockefeller evidently believes ni making the best of both worlds.

Mr .Tames F. Scott; of Dunedin, who has beon studying art on' the European Continent for some years past, has now (writes our London correspondent) settled down in London with the intention of pur-: suing his professional career. Sir Scott tells me that he studied in Paris: for two years raider M. Benjamin Constant and other celebrated French painters; then fur seven months in Holland, and next for 10 months in Germany, eliielly at Munioli; and finally for two months in Italy. One of Mr Scott's pictures was accepted l;.j the Paris Salon last year, and was hung "on tlio line." It received much favourable notice from tho critics.

Messrs Park, Reynolds, and Co. sell at tlielr rooms to-day household furniture. Messrs James Samson and Co. sell at their rooms to-morrow household furniture, etc. . Mr D. 11. Speckling lins a quantity of Indian and Ceylon tea to offer for sale on I'rtftay next. . • , Mr John Thompson will sell a number t>l horses at the Lawrence stock sale to-morrow. The Otago Education Board advertises iof n immta oi school icnchcts. Messrs Arthur Widen and William Brown Vigors have dissolved partnership. In fu'.ure the business, styled the Otaeo Halting Coi-j. pany, will be carrhd on by Mx Wiitcn; ' Tenders aw itivitetl fo the cartage of wiU for the Uunedin Corporation tremv.'i>6.' Tenders 'are invited for the insiallu'iOf ■>[ oicctvic light in tJic Sc»utlilar>d Hospitals a.~; Charitable Aid Bof.rd's Buildings at - I/irai Bib. .

.The • annua! • communication oi the Dislriot' » ,r n n i? odgo of 0ta S° and Southland nt, -1 19 evenijl ß in the Masonic Hall. On Friday evening, in the Trades Hall, a meeting of' Bhareholdcrs and frionds of tho /cajandia Co-oner&tivo Association will be hold. • Tho monthly meeting' of the Gaelic Society takes place this evonipg. ' j vThe Green Island Troopers' Reception Committeo - meet this evening in tho Protestant Alnanco Fner.dly Society's Hall. I The new Geisha Frames post free to any address or Is 3d, Is Gd, la 9d, and 2s 6d, from Hendy, hairdresser, Dunodin.—Advt. ' ftpd T. Young invite inspection of their ; ipagninccnt. display nf Jewellery, etc. Thev oner th? largest and host selection, and they give tho .best value.—Advt. j King Tea and King Coffee prize competition closes December 1. Get a good start by starting now. Quality to please a king.—Advt. Don t be humbugged by tho oiler of Guinea fS 3 i" ■ y°«T Tea. How many of you could .obtain these Golden Guineas? Only a few out of thousands, Savo yourself disappointment by using "Book Gift" Tea, with eyery 61b of which you can choose n book itora our extensive catalogue free, and thus obtain wisdom, beside which gold is dross. Ask ydur grocer for catalogue.—Advt. .Who is Pjster DickV—Tho most reliable Watchmaker and Jeweller -opposite Coffee Palace, Moray place, Duned'~\ Charges strictlv moderate.—Advt, , •It is about time that people awoke to the fact that a - good Disinfectant is a household necessity. "K.P. Fluid is recognised by authorities as the beat Disinfectant for household apd general use. Sold by all chemists and grocers.—Advt.