FEDERAL ARBITRATION COURT

West Coast Times, 12 April 1912, Page 4

FEDERAL ARBITRATION COURT

INCREASE IN WAGES GRANTED.

Oer PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.]

MELBOURNE, April 11. Tlio Federal Arbitration Court award in the case of the Merchant Service Guild against the Steamship Owners, provides for an all round increase of wages of captains and officers on interstate passenger and cargo vessels, an eight hour day, over time payment to ho increased on holidays and one month’s notice or pay three months’ service when officers articles are. expiring. Tho Prc ident reserved further consideration of tho question whether the award shall apply to cr what extent to tho boats of tiie Union Company, Huddart Parker’s, and a number of other companies trading outside Australia. The award proposed a currency of five years’ operating from-Ist May. 1 lie Guild expresses satisfaction at the award. The Shipowners in Sydney question the power of tho Court to deal with vessels trading within one State only, and predict tho increased cost involved will he disastrous to the shipping trade, which will he driven into the hands of hig foreign 'companies, otherwise, all the increases must bo passed on to tho public as shipowners cannot health cm.