liminary difficulty in negotiations was that the Union demanded a flat percentage of increase to be effective over all linçs, notwithstanding that some Shipping Com- panies, comparatively recently, had vol- untarily given an increase of some 18/25 per cent. to meet the higher cost of living. It was on this point that it became appar- ent at the outset that difficulties were almost sure to arise between the Union and the owners. It will be found, there fore, that as regards Companies who had not raised the scale of wages for a series of years, the Scamen's demands have been met to a considerable extent and it was the general opinion of the Shipping Com- panies I have had the honour to repre- sent that substantial concessions should be made by such lines. It is with ples- sure I have to record that the Chinese owners were among the first to acquiesce in the suggestion put forth that this immediate increase should be made.
It will be noted that the Shipping Com panies have been formed into groups, and negotiations eventually progressed upon a basis of percentages for various lines. The result has been that where low pay waa in cvidence the owners were willing to concede generous terms and although the original Seamen's demand in this particular respect is for an increase of 40 per cent. it will be seen that they eventually accepted 30 per cent. In "con tra distinction" it must be pointed out that in the case of the higher paid ser vices, such as European and Pacific lines, the original demands called for between 30/40 per cent. increase and the settle- ment resulted in the men accepting 20 per cent, and 15 per cent. The attached schedule of percentage speaks for itself and I consider represents a correct and impartial reaume of the Agreement arrived at.
Dr. Jamieson's attitude at the time be entered the negotiations until the final settlement of dispute was, that he would not be a party to anything unless it was fair to both sides, and while the general commercial problem was becoming daily more difficult, I give it as my opinion, shipowners, in making such concessions as they have done, were not unduly in- uenced by anything other than the grave Loommercial hold up and of the hardship antailed on those entirely disinterested in points of disagreement between the Union and shipowners.
I give this epizion with all due reserve but feel that my remarks are in line with the general views of shipowners.
Clause 2.-It will be noted that it has been agreed men will receive half pay from such time as they left their vessels until their return. That they may be re-instated to
(a) Their own Company's vessels. (b)-Other vessels as may be mutually
agreed upon.
Further, it is agreed that those men available, will receive half pay until such time as re-instatement can be effected, but the time limit of such half pay shall not exceed months. In this connection it is the opinion of shipowners that there was far from a unanimous desire on the part of employees to leave their vessele and that they only did so under severe intimidation which unfortunately existed. In the circumstances it was agreed, and I think rightly so, that men forced ont of their positions through no fault of their own and in fear of bodily harm. not only to themselves but their depen- dente, many situated in Chinese territory, called in the ciroura tances for a con- siderate decision on the part of ship-
Owners.
Admittedly such consideration might be construed as an undesirable precedent in the commercial future of the Colony, and recognising this the shipowners took the opinion of the special strike committee of the Chamber of Commerce before con- coding the point. As regards the Fund; referred to for meeting the expenses (in the shape of half pay) of Seamen whose shipa are not immediately available, I would say that my understanding is that this will be met by a Fund arranged beiween Dr. Jamieson and certain pro- minent Chiness gentlemen of the Colony. headed by Sir Robert Ho Tung, as men- tioned in the Government Gazette of Satur- day last. So far as strike pay is con- cerned in the case of unabsorbed seamen, I must explain that late in the evening of the 4th instant when the hitch in sign- ing the Agreement occurred, Dr. Jamieson and myself were confronted with an un reasonable demand in the shape of a guarantee of 6 month half pay if posi tions were not open for returning samen on their arrival. This demand WAS large y respon ible for the breakdown or suspension of negot.ations, as Dr. Jamie. |son ta.ed it was not fair to ask the Ship." ping Companies to accept it, and on be- haf of the Shipping Companies I stated? I saw no hope of such an unwarranted voncession.
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