WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 18984, 19 November 1920, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

1 VICTORIAN COAL DISPUTE. f PREMIERS AT VARIANCE. (By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, November 18. Mr Hughes stated that the Premier of Victoria, Mr Lawson, had rejected his proposal for a settlement of the brown coal dispute. He suggested that the High Court be invoked to ascertain whether the tribunal’s decision can override State awards, but Mr Lawson declined. SYDNEY WHARF LABOURERS. DECISION TO WORK OVERTIME. SYDNEY, November 18. (Received November 18, 9.15 p.m.) A stop-work meeting of wharf labourers decided to work overtime on all vessels. [NEW SOUTH WALES STATE TRAWLERS SEAMEN’S DEMANDS. SYDNEY, November 18. (Received November 18, 9.15 p.m.) The seamen employed in the State trawlers threaten to strike owing to the Government’s refusal to grant them an eight-hour day and increased pay. They decided to hold a stop-work meeting. THE BASIC WAGE. A REPORT DENIED. MELBOURNE, November 18. (Received November 18, 9.15 pun.) In the House of Representatives, Mr Hughes denied that the basic wage had been fixed at £5 5/-. AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND. WATERSIDE LABOUR. THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 18. The conference of employers of waterside labour and representatives of the Waterside Workers’ Federation discussed the question of an increase of the rate of wages to meet the increased Cost of Living since the present agreement came into force, The men’s demands are based on the cost of living as disclosed by the Government Statistician, whose figures are to be challenged by both the workers and the employers, and the conference failed to come to any conclusion. Later they discussed methods of carrying out the work on the waterfront with a view to increased efficiency. The shipowners have received a request for increased wages from the Federated Cooks and Stewards’ Union and the Seamen's Federation,