16. Lieut.-Colonel THORNEasked the "First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the discontent among the Inverness transport workers on account of the Admiralty refusing to pay the 12½ per cent. that has been paid to other workers for some months past; and, in consequence of the difference between the Admiralty and the transport workers, whether he is prepared to have the case dealt with by arbitration?
§ Mr. LONGRepresentations have been received regarding the non-payment to the employés referred to of the 12½ per cent. bonus. It has recently been decided to increase the wages of those men from £2 12s. to £3 a week; but, if the accredited representatives of the men contend that these men are still underpaid, no objection 1792 will be raised by the Department to the matter being referred to the Court of Arbitration.