N.Z.'S MERCHANT SERVICE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13334, 24 March 1911, Page 3

N.Z.'S MERCHANT SERVICE.

CLAIMS BY OFFICERS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 23. The industrial dispute which has arisen between, the Merchant Service Guild of Australasia, .New Zealand section, and the shipping companies lure been referred lor settlement to. the Council of Conciliation. Application is made by the guild, which nominates as its assessors Captains \V. JH. Ward and A. J. Cliimio, both of w'ellington. Hours and .wages arc the main points upon which, the- guild seeks a. settlement. The list of employers in the city ,is as follows: —Maoriland S. Co. : Levin and Co., W.- and G. Turnbull and Co., Richardson and Co.; Wellington and Wanganui Steam Packet Co.: Johr.etmi and Co., Captain T. Eckford (Levin unci Go.); Anchor Shipping and Poundry Co , Westland S. Co., and Patca Shipping 'Co. Demands- were filed to-day. The guild asks that the following bo fixed as the minimum rates of wages to bo paid per month to the masters and "officers of vessels of 1000 gross registered tonnage, and owned under or trading in Now Zealand waters if they are members of the guild;— Masters .£2B, chief officer £lB, second officer £l4, third officer. £l2. A demand is made for annual leave of absence on full pay for masters to a continuous period of 28 t (lays, and officers to one of 14 days, second aild subsequent holidays as from twelve mouths since the previous one became clue. Leave to begin and end at home port, provided that if the master or officer is discharged ho shall receive payment in lieu of holiday. Every master and officer shall b-s entitled to be absent from his vessel at his home port from the expiration of one hour after his ship has been safely moored : until two hours before departure, with this exception: every master and-officer':to' be liable to duty at any time, but hot for more than eight hours in any day; work clone in excess of these hours, asks the guild, is to entitle the master or officer to overtime payment.' masters at the rate of 5s p per hour and' officers at 2s 6d per hour at all times except during leave of absence. .When meals, are not provided for them on board, ' a master shall receive a victualling allowance of . IQs per clay', and. an officer ,5s per day. , When a master or officer is transferred from one ship or trade to another he shall receive free transit for his family aucl effects to the port at which he desires to reside, due notice being given to tnc employer of the intention to change. When a steamer runs an excursion on public holidays overtime rates shall bo paid. Final provisions asked for are:—Notwithstanding anything contained in the articles of the agreement. signed by the officers or in the agreement with the master, when a master or officer has .served three mouths on .any ship or ships of an employer, service shall be terminable only by a month’s notice on either side; preference should bo given to members of the guild.