DISPUTES IN AUSTRALIA. Melbourne, July 11.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 17 July 1890, Page 18

DISPUTES IN AUSTRALIA. Melbourne, July 11.

The associated steamship owners are organising for mutual support in view of possible I trouble with the Marine Officers' Association. I The unemployed question is assuming a | serious aspect. Ministers refused to give tho ? men an audience, and they interviewed Bishop Goe and Archbishop Carr. An open-air meeting ms afterwards fceid. ft Collins street, Xto

police and mounted trooperß patrolled the street, but the proceedings were orderly. It is stated there are 10,000 out of work at the present moment,

July 15. The unemployed continue to hold demonstrations.

The Salvation Army are endeavouring to find employment for some of those out of work, and have over 1500 names on their books, tfp to the present the Army has distributed 12,000 meals.

Sydney, July 13. The Shearers' Union has notified squatters that they have arranged with all water side unions to combine to prevent the shipment of wool sheared by non-union labour.

July 14. An old-standing dispute over the colliery engine drivers has been settled, the proprietors agreeing to pay the late scale of wages. Overtime is demanded by the men after September 1. It is reported the owners have notified the Seamen's Union that they will consider the new rules at a special meeting this week. The seamen have notified that if the rules are not accepted they will take action at the end of the week.

July 15.

The Carriers' Union has deoided to affiliate with the Shearers' Union. This federation will preclude the carriers from loading non-union shorn wool.

THE MARINE OFFICERS.

The Marinu Officers' Association threaten in event of the owners not replying to their demands, to withdraw their request and apply for affiliation with the Maritime Council or Trades aud Labour Counoil.

THE DEMANDS OF THE SEAMEN'S

UNION.

The seamen's rules provide for eight hours' labour in ports, bays, and roadsteads— namely, 7 a,m. till 5 p.m,> with two hours for meals. Sea watohes on days of arrival and departure are to count as portion of the day. Cleaning, &c. between,' 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. to be charged for as overtime, necessary repairs excepted. Deck work and unnecessary navigation between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m. also to be charged as evertime. The following is to be the soale of wages paid monthly :— Seamen, £7 ; boatswain, £8 ; lamp trimmers, £7 ; lamp trimmers and seamen, £8 ; coal trimmers and firemen, £9 ; donkeymen and greasers, £9. When trading to other ports than the port of discharge, to be paid at the terminal port. If engaged by rate the scale shall be 10s per day until returned, the men to be entitled to their passage to the port of leaving. Overtime for all work between 5 p.m. and 5 a.m. shall be paid for at the rate of Is perhour, Sundays and holidays, 2s ; half an hour to be allowed when leaving port for stowing ropes and derricks, afterwards overtime to be allowed. There shall be eight recognised public holidays in the year. Men working on Sundays and holidays are to be paid 12s per day if in port. On Eight Hours Celebration Day no work shall be done, and no vessel shall proceed to sea before 6 p.m.

The shipowners have had the seamen's rules under consideration, but the discussion was only preliminary, and no decision will be come to until tbe intercolonial owners have been consulted.

THE MARINE ENGINEERS SPEAK.

The marine engineers have sent a communication to owners embodying suggestions upon which they desire to have a conference. They embrace a classification of ships according to tonnage, a sliding scale of payment, accommodation aboard ship, and the management of engine room generally.