“CAME AS A SURPRISE.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3771, 5 March 1913, Page 5

“CAME AS A SURPRISE.”

THE TROUBLE BETWEEN THE US.S. CO. AND THE ENGINEERS. ONLY QUESTION OF HOLIDAYS AND OVERTIME IN DISPUTE.,, PREMIER TO PRESIDE AT A CONFERENCE. [PBE3B ASSOCIATION TELEGEAId Wellington, Mar. 4. In connection with the dispute between the Institute of Marine Engineers and the Union Company, the chief point of difference is on the question of overtime. The engineers are asking for the same rates of pay as have been a warned by the Federal Arbitration Court to the Australian branches of the Institute, and also for the same conditions as to hours of work and overtime rates. In effect the Federal Court has given the engineers an eight-hours’ day, with extra pay per hour for all time worked in excess of this. The Company, it is understood, is prepared to give the men the Australian rate of wages, but the only concession in regard to overtime is that an engineer may be paid as much as £2 a month in respect of time worked in excess of an eight-hours’ day, but no more. It is assorted on behalf of the men that they regularly work a la’ge number of hours’ overtime, and £2 is not considered sufficient reward for such work.

It is understood that 92 per cent, of the engineers are in favor of a strike. The Mararoa’s engineers came ashore to-day. DUNEDIN, Mar. 4. The Maitai’s engineers are giving 24 hours’ notice to the Union Company of their intention to leave. The period expiree when the vessel is at Lyttelton to-morrow. It is asserted that the men received instructions not to sign on, but thi3 was received too late. The manager of the Union Company stated to a “Star” representative that the precipitate action of the engineers came as a great surprise, being out of all proportion to the points of difference. A conference of a friendly character was held. The questions of overtime and holidays were the only substantial points in dispute. The proposals made by the Company were practically' the terms of the current agreement with the Officers’ Guild. The Engineers’ Institute was registered under the Arbitration Act, yet would not agree to go to the Court, though the Company were willing, and had now ignored the Act under which the Institute was registered. The case was to bo heard before the Conciliation Board this day, but was adjourned till the 11th inst., at the request of the engineers. Hence the Company’s surprise at the action taken. Sir J. -Mills further said with reference to the breach of faith question raised by Mr Wallace regarding the adoption of the Australian award, that the minutes of the conference held in 1911, and the correspondence »ith the Institute, afforded proof that it could not be sustained. The company freely admitted the services and loyalty of the staff, and was still hopeful that a settlement would be arrived at, with or without the aid of the Conciliation Commissioner. So far the Maunganui’s officers have received no word from the steamer’s engineers. WELLINGTON, Mar. 4. It appears that the Mararoa's men only gave notice to leave the steamer if a settlement were not affected. They will come out in 24 hours. Mr Massey will preside at a meeting of the parties to-morrow. Hopes are entertained of a settlement being effected. POSITION STILL SERIOUS. CHRISTCHURCH, March 4. An impression prevails in shipping circles at Lyttelton that a compromise will be reached in the engineers’ dispute before .any services are disunited. The Mararoa’s men gave notice last evening, and the presumption ic that failing a settlement she will not leave Wellington to-night. The Maori’s engineers gave notice after leaving Wellingon; the notice expires when the"- Vessel'- is at- sea to-night. The Waipori is at present at Lyttelton discharging. The notice by her engineers- expires at 5 p.m. v

AN UNEXPECTED MOVE. BOTH PARTIES REQUEST MR MASSEY TO ARBITRATE. WERE THE ENGINEERS TOO PRECIPITATE? WELLINGTON, March 4. The position of the marine engineers trouble may be described as stationary. Since yesterday Mr P. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, has been actively engaged in seeking a. basis of settlement and began negotiations with representatives of the Union Company and engineers. Then unexpectedly came a move from another quarter. The Prime Minister was approached, it is understood, by the Company, who suggested, a conference with Mr Massey as arbitrator. This has been agreed to and the conference will take place at 4 p.m.. tomorrow. The engineers’ notices given in the meantime, will not take effect till the result of to-morrow’s meeting is known. It is reported that engineers of all arriving Union boats are giving notice. Engineers. on other coastal steamers are awaiting developments. The Maori sailed to-niglit as usual with a large number of passengers, including members of the. Empire Trade Commission. Included in the passengers were a nab r who had hooked bv the Rom mra to sail for Well Lgton on Thursday. . The Maitai, which has been recommissioned to relieve the Tarawera on the East Coast service, left Port Chalmers for Lyttelton this afternoon. In the ©vent of no settlement being arrived at her engineers will go

ashore at Lyttelton to-morrow. Several engineers who were approached by pressmen were very reticent concerning their troubles. They declined to discuss matters. All, however, expressed the determination to see the matter through at all costs. One admitted they were taking an extreme step in giving in notices and so holding the steamers up. They asserted they had been forced to that length by the inaction of the Union Company. The engineers wanted the same conditions as were embodied in the Australian award. They contend this was definitely premised by the Union Company, and now repudiated that promise and cited the Institute to appear before the Conciliation Council.

A COMPROMISE EFFECTED. With reference to the engineers’ strike, Mr Preston, tho local manager of the Union Company, informed us last night that the Takapuna will not be affected, as a compromise with the engineers has been arrived at. He further stated that all the Union Company’s boats will be running as usual and intending passengers may have no fear of being unable to reach their destinations.