WELLINGTON FERRY BOAT SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 41

WELLINGTON FERRY BOAT SERVICE.

DEMAND' FOR HIGHER WAGES, (Feom Oub Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, December 28.

Mr G. G. Farland, secretary of the Waterside .Workers’ Union, acting on behalf of the ferry boat workers who have no union, forwarded certain demands to the manager of .the .Wellington Harbour Ferries (Ltd.), Mr E. G. F. Zohrab, and from that gentleman he learned by letter that “ as this company is in no way concerned with the Wellington Wharf Labourers’ Union, I fail to see how that union can have anything ,whatever to do with any matters concerning this company and its employees, and therefore I cannot accede to your request for a conference.” Mr Zohrab expressed his willingness to meet the men themselves or a representative of the Seamen’s Union, but in any case he could not deal with the matter before let January, as the notice was too short. Some time in January* however, he would make it convenient, if the men desired to meet him. At a meeting of the ferryboat workers (deck hands and firemen) yesterday it was decided to forward a letter to Mr Zohrab pointing out their regret that he could not see his way clear to meet them before the busy season was over, as an increase of wages was more necessary to them during the busy holiday season than it would be when things were slack and the work became less strenuous than at present. They maintained that their demands were so small that there was no need for any great difference of opinion, and also that there were sufficient directors of the company in town to meet the men if the company desired to do so. As regards the Seamen’s Union taking up their case, the men state that they are not members of either the Waterside Workers’ or the Seamen’s Union, or any other union, but this fact would not prejudice them as far as assistance from the Seamen’s Union was concerned. A meeting between the company and a delegate from the Seamen’s Union could be arranged if preferred. Both the Waterside and Seamen’s Unions consider the demands fair and reasonable. The men state further that they do not wish to inconvenience the company or the travelling public in any way, but they contend that the wages paid to them are “ far from being sufficient to sustain a married man in comfort.” This being so, they are not prepared to continue in the service of the company if their demands are not’ acceded to or some effort is not made to meet them in. this matter. A conference is suggested for this afternoon. The letter concludes : “ Should your company treat this matter as of no concern, therewill be but one course open for the men, and that they have decided upon.” Tho manager of the company states that 16 hands are employed on the deck and in the stokehold, and the new demands would add another £llOO per annum to the wages sheet, an amount equal to 5 per cent, of the capital of the company. The demands are likely to be strenuously resisted.

WELLINGTON FERRY SERVICE

NO SETTLEMENT. (From Oub Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, December 29,

At the invitation of the directorate of the Ferry Company there was a conference of employees and directors this evening. It appears ’ that the men are still legally members of a union, defundt, in fact, but not cancelled legally, and that they are still bound by the terms of an expired award which has not, however, been replaced by a new award or agreement, At the conference Mr G. S. Farmland, secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union, appeared with 11 of the men. It was pointed out on behalf of the company that two of the directors holding the largest amount of shares were not in New Zealand, and that the remainder could not agree to increases involving £llOO annually without consulting with them. The increases could not be granted without raising fares to the public, and the board of directors would have to consider whether, under these circumstances, the increases would be granted or whether the company would go into liquidation. Mr Farland thought the company should agree there and then to increases, and when informed that tb© directors could not do so, he left the room with the other men.

The company hopes to be able to run the time-table through dire holidays, even if the men do go out on New Year’s Day.

POSITION, UNCERTAIN. WELLINGTON, January 1. The position in regard to the ferry dispute is uncertain. The men will carry on the holiday service, though a warning has been given to the residents that it may be necessary for them to remove to the

city. It is purely out of consideration for the workers, who are making Day’a Day a rendezvous for the holidays, that th( men are sacrificing their former intention of stopping the traffic between th« city and the bays. It is understood that the employees an awaiting the arrival in Wellington of Mr Semple, of the "Federation of. Labour, when some developments may arise. Meanwhile the company has promised to consider the men’s demands so soon as a full meeting of the directors earn be held.