WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9305, 4 August 1908, Page 1

WORK AND WAGES.

# CONDITIONS OF SEAMEN. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON , August 3. The Union Steamship Company has in hand a scheme for the general improvement of the conditions of deck and engine-room hands. The scheme, amongst other concessions, provides for a bill-of-fare of much higher grade nnd greater variety than at present obtains among ship hands all over the sea. The system, which bo far is on probation only, was inaugurated on tho Moeraki and later on the Maheno. The crew of the Waikare are the latest to undergo the experiment, and it is understood the Maori is to be brought into line with the new idea to-day. If the management obtains the full co-opera-tion and appreciation of the men who are to benefit, a greater extension of the system is certain, and its adoption in the intercolonial service would bej it is believed, only a matter of time. So far the men who have been initiated into the new order of things culinary have expressed their satisfaction at the company's efforts to improve their state of .being as '"' employees, and lately the New Zealand branch of tho Federated Seamen's TThion carried a resolution of thanks for the improvement in fare and quarters obtained. THE OTAGO COAL-MINERS. [Per Press Association*.] DUNEDIN, August 3. Tha miners' delegates met the representatives of the Kaitangata Coal Cornpan v to-day, and discussed the present condition of labour and the provisions of the aw^ird sought by the employers at the Arbitration Court. An agreement was arrived at on practically every point in dispute. The men agreed to" accept the piece rates paid in the past. The question of weighbridge was left indefinitely in abeyance, and in regard to trucking it was decided that the company should truck ooal, but that if a man made a special application he should be allowed to truck his own coal from the face without committing a breach of the award. The dispute will not be argued' before the Arbitration Court, but the Court's ruling in other disputes will be accepted on one or two minor points.