SHIP OFFICERS’ AWARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 87, 11 April 1912, Page 6

SHIP OFFICERS’ AWARD.

(Received 11, — f).3s^aan.) Melbourne, April 11.

Tho Federal Arbitration Court award in tile case of the Merchant Service Guild against the steamship owners provides ah all-round increase of wages to captains and officers on interstate passenger and cargo vessels; an eight-hour day; overtime payment is increased; holidays arc provided; one months’ notice or pay must be given after three months’ service when officer's’ articles are expiring. The president rescrvefl for further consideration tho question whether the award shall apply or to what extent to the boats of the Union Co., the HuadartParker Co. and a number of other companies trading outside Australia. The award has a proposed currency of five years, operating from May Ist. The Guild expresses satisfaction with the award. Shipowners in Sydney question the power of the Court to deal with vessels trading within bneoState only. They predict that the increased cost involved will bo disastrous to the shipping trade, which will be driven into the bands of big foreign companies. Otherwise rill increases jnust be passed on to the public, as the ship-owners cannot bear them.