INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 48, 11 October 1911, Page 6

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

NEW ZEALAND.

THE SHIPPING TROUBLE

(Per Press Association.) Timaru, October 10

The wharf workers did not start this morning. A meeting was field when they assembled, and it was decided to cease work as a moans of helping the si earner officers to a speedy settlement, this decision to apply to all steamers. A telegram was sent to the Merchants’ Guild and brought a reply of thanks for sympathy, but such action was not necessary at present as a settlement was in prospect. A reply to the message to the same effect sent to tlie Union Federation said that they did not understand the union’s action, and idvised them to go to work. Work was therefore resumed at L p.m. Dunedin, October 10.

In consequence of the trouble with officers engaged in the coastal shipping in the North, tiie steamers Victoria and Ulimaroa would not accept any cargo here to-day for transhipment at northern ports. r J he Breeze is duo here to-morrow, and if tiie officers adhere to their previously expressed intentions they will then leave the vessel . The local agent for tnc vessel, however, expressed the opinion that the officers wore duty bound to remain on the Breeze until she reached home, Port Lyttelton. 3he Breeze has no cargo to unload, but there is a fair quantity waiting here to be loaded for northern ports. if the men come .ashore the Breeze will have to bo laid up in Dunedin. TAXI-CAB DRIVERS’ DISPUTE Christchurch, October 10. The Conciliation Council had before it to-day the demands made by taxicab drivers, the principal being a 51 hours’ week, with a minimum wage ■if £3 per week, casual drivers to be paid Is 3d per hour, and overtime at Is 6d per -hour, overtime for drivers in constant employment at the rate of time and a naif. A long discussion took place in regard to the wages claim. Tiie Commissioners suggested tno old hours and 50s a week, but the employers’ representatives, after consultation, stated that they could not see their way to agree to this owing xo the poor profits received and the heavy risks. Ultimately the parties arrived at an agreement, the principal ,joints being a minimum wage of oos weekly, improvers or learners 42s weekly; drivers of cars on tour to make arrangements with their employers as to overtime, which will bo ■ paid at the rate of iOd houily, and drivers to join the union within a month of engagement. At present there arc eight industrial disputes, fourteen compensation cases, and six other matters awaiting to bo dealt with by tiie Arbitration Court in the Canterbury district.