Marine Engineers’ Wages.

Southland Times, Issue 12730, 14 October 1893, Page 3

Marine Engineers’ Wages.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, Oct. 12. The delegates of the Engineers’ Society to. the conference with the shipowners, recently held in Melbourne, have issued a circular to members of the Society dealing with the matters in dispute. They point out that the principal proposals of the owners were f0r.20 to 40 per cent, reduction in pay, freedom of contract, and the owners'to regulate the number of engineers and greasers to bo car-, ried. The delegates refused to seriously entertain the reduced scale, and at the request of the owners transmitted their own proposals, formulating a scale of wages based on a 7j per cent, which was not entertained by the owners; The latter placed before the conference l an amended proposal of 15 per cent, reduction on schedule rates, and gave it as their ultimatum. As the Society would not 'concede more than 10 per cent, reductions a deadlock ensued and the conference dissolve’d. The secretary therefore decided to appeal to its members, and the ballot closes on October 16th. <,-The circular concludes:—“ On the 18th October your delegates will again meet and formulate a final scale of Wages based on your decision. Whatever this may be it will be pub to the owners as the ultimatum, and all members must be prepared to stand or fall by the wishes of the majority. Bear in mind that this is the most important step in the annals of your institution, and any member who permits himself to become disfranchised through not voting cannot complain if the result is adverse to his convictions.” The New Zealand branch of the Society has considered the matter, and on September 27th cabled' ’to Melbourne to Mr Hanna, their delegate, as follows :—“ New Zealand unanimous you do not approach steamship owners again. No reduction of wages be taken. On October 2nd the Wellington branch wired to the Dunedin branch:— “ Wellington decidedly objects to any reduction. Australia at liberty to make its best compromise with owners. New Zealand withdraws altogether from conference and must have a free hand.”