THE MARINE ENGINEERS’ DISPUTE.

Southland Times, Issue 17289, 8 March 1913, Page 5

THE MARINE ENGINEERS’ DISPUTE.

» It is a matter for great satisfaction that the trouble between the , Union Steamship Company and its engineers was amicably settled, and that the settlement involved practically the full concession of the engineers’ demands. From tihe first the case put forward for the engineers had all the appearance' of reasonableness and justice, and nothing transpired to alter the opinion of the public*that the engineers’ claims were fair. Furthermore, the engineers have made their position in the estimation of the public stronger by their loyalty and patience. To their loyalty the leading officials of the Union - Company, have themselves. paid a high tribute, and as to their patience all the evidence that is necessary can be found in the contrast between the general behaviour of the engineers add that of the firemen. Where the blame for the threatened strike rests has not been made quite clear, and it is difficult to understand why a conference between the Company and its engineers was not held much sooner. In view of the fact that the engineers accepted, first a reduction of their wages, then a restoration to the old wages, then a small increase which affected only a handful of their number pending the making of an Australian agreement, they had every right to look for consideration from the Union Company, and it is difficult to believe that the threatened strike could not have been avoided. Fortunately it was not necessary to carry the threat into effect. The representatives of the Union Company eventually met those of the engineers, and when the Prime Minister expressed the opinion that the engineers’ claim for overtime payment was reasonable the Company conceded the point, the terms of. the Australian award were practically adopted, and the trouble was over. In every respect the settlement arrived at may be regarded as satisfactory. A serious interruption of the dominion’s steam shipping service has been avoided, and the claims of a loyal body of officers have been fairly met.