ENGINEERS FALL OUT OVER MARINE STATUS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18009, 20 November 1926, Page 10

ENGINEERS FALL OUT OVER MARINE STATUS.

(Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, November 20.

A dispute between the marine engineers and shore engineers was heard by the Arbitration Court to-day. It arose from the opposition of the Amalgamated Engineering Union to the inclusion in the new award of clauses relating to the employment of members of the Marine Engineers’ Institute. At the outset Mr Justice Frazer said that he did not think the Court would ever seek to deprive a marine engineer of work on his own ship while the ship was out of commission. Mr Sommerville, for the Marine Engineers, submitted on behalf of the Institute, that marine engineers were more competent to do work on board their ships than shore engineers. Mr Justice Frazer said the question should be dealt with from the point of view that some shore men were competent. Mr Sommerville said it looked as though the shore engineers wanted to compel a marine engineer, working ashore, to pay a prohibitive fee. He should not be compelled to belong to a union which obtained no benefits for him.

After argument, the Court reserved its decision.