WORK AND WAGES

Southland Times, Issue 19590, 11 August 1922, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES

MINERS’ CONFERENCE. IMPROVED PENSIONS FAVOURED. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and New Zealand Cable Assn). BERLIN, August 9. The International Miners’ Conference passed a resolution in favour of improving the pensions of miners and their dependents ! on ground that the miner at fifty, after 25 years’ employment underground, was unable to continue work. SYDNEY FIRE BRIGADE. SYDNEY, August 10. (Received August 10, 10.10 p.m.) The Fire Brigades Employees’ Union now faces the position whether it will accept reduction of wages, the Fire Brigades Board having decked to adhere to the Arbitration Court's award. EXTENSION OF WORKING WEEK NEW SOUTH WALES BILL SYDNEY, August 10. In the Assembly the 48 Hour Bill was put through committee after a stormy all night sitting, in which the Government frequently applied the gag amid loud protests against bludgeoning the Bill through. The i Government agreed to an amendment that in cases where 44 hours had been fixed by the Arbitration Court such hours would remain in force until altered by the Court. Another amendment placed the onus of applying for any reduction of hours upon the employees. AFFAIRS IN NEW ZEALAND MARINE ENGINEERS’ DISPUTE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 10. The hearing of the marine engineers' dispute was concluded before the Arbitration | Court to-day. After evidence had been called in support of the Marine Engineers’ Institute case, Mr W. J. Smith, who appeared on behalf of the Union Steam Ship Company, criticised briefly the allegations of the Union, and denied the statement of Mr B. A. R. Wallace, secretary of the Institute, that the company had made phenomenal profits during the war. a matter of fact, he said, they had paid no dividend last year nor had there ben any so far this year. There had been increase in hours. The company could not agree to the demand that chief engineers should be paid overtime. His Honour remarked that Sir John Monash had been opposed to overtime for chief engineers, but had granted a 10 i>er cent, bonus’. Mr Smith argued that Sir John, although a good soldier, was riot experienced in marine engineering. The secretary of the Ail-tralian Engineers’ Institute had declared that marine engineers in Australia were better off now than ever before, and marine engineers Jn New Zealand were in an even better j»osition. Unless running costs could be reduced more ships would have to be laid up. The Court announced that an award would not be made until it had heard other seafaring disputes. THE TUTANEKAI. WELLINGTON, August 10. The Marine Department has already received more than a sufficient number of applications for engagement as permanent seamen and firemen for the Government steamer Tutanekai. The men will be Government employees and come under the Superannuation Act. The usual award rates with overtime will be paid, the sailors to receive an additional £1 a month on account of special duties.