‘FRAUGHT WITH TROUBLE’

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1931, Page 9

‘FRAUGHT WITH TROUBLE’

SEAFARERS’ WAGE REDUCTION UNION COMPANY SHIPS STILL IDLE OFFICERS SUBMIT PROPOSALS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. There were no fresh developments today concerning the position that has arisen on the waterfront in connection with the application of the .10 per cent, reduction in wages of seafarers and waterside workers in shipping circles. The situation, however, is regarded as a delicate one and fraught with potential trouble. No attempt has been made by the Union Company to man either the Waimarino or Katoa, which have been held up for some days owing to the refusal of the cooks and stewards to sign new articles embodying the wage reduction. Up to the present no other steamers have been affected by this cause. The ferry steamers Maori and Maheno left Wellington and Lyttelton respectively to-night as usual, no hitch of any kind arising to prevent them sailing. A joint deputation representing the Merchant Service Guild (masters and officers) and Marine Engineers’ Institute met the general* manager of the Union Company this afternoon and fully set out the views of those bodies on the reduction, of which their members have been notified. The conference lasted for 2 J hours. *A Press Association representative was informed that a certain proposal was put forward at the interview for the consideration of the company. The matter was discussed at considerable length but no decision was reached. The Union Company’s representative indicated that the proposal would receive full consideration and the decision would be communicated later to the guild and institute representatives. The C. and D. Line, Port Fairy, held up on Saturday, sailed to-day for Napier and the Port Huon continued discharging. COOKS AND STEWARDS OBJECT.' TWO DISPUTES AT AUCKLAND.' Auckland, Last Night. The application of the 10 per cent, cut in wages of the cooks and stewards on New Zealand -steamers ;is resented by some of the men. . ' Difficulty arose on two vessels at Auckland to-day before the Union Company's Island‘steamer Tofua sailed, for Suva. The cooks and stewards demurred wfien it was proposed that their wages should be reduced in accordance with the general order of the Arbitration Court. In order that the vessel Should not. be delayed the matter was adjusted and the Tofua sailed on schedule. ' , « The second dispute - occurred on the Company’s steamer Waipiea, which is engaged in the AucklandrEast Coast trade The vessel arrived from- Napier on Sunday and to-day the cook and-the steward on board; Were 'notified that their wages would be reduced by 10 per cent. The men refused to work at the ■decreased rate,' whereupon . they were given 24 hours’ notice of dismissal.