WATERSIDE WORKERS' UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 201, 25 August 1919, Page 9

WATERSIDE WORKERS' UNION.

HALF-YEAREY EEPOET. CONDITIONS ON THE WATERFRONT. The half yearly report of the Wat«rside Workers' 'Union forms an effective barometer of the surplus labour problem as it affects Auckland at the conclusion of the war. During the months July 1December 31, IMS, the membership was 930. From January to July 112 new members joined. There are now on the books 1,072 members, and of these 100 are returned soldiers. Returned soldiers have been granted representation on the! executive, Mr. L. N. Jacobs being elected in their interests. This half year has seen considerable reinstatement of returned men to their old positiohs on the waterfront with absolutely no friction. The report states that the depleted shipping as the result of the war has entailed a scanty pay roll for the increased membership, but with conditions returning to normal .prospects are oomewhat brighter than at the beginning of the year. The recent rise in the. casual hourly rate of 1/10 to 2/ per hour has assisted materially in bettering the position, though unfortunately the con tinual rii-e in the cost of necessaries of life has practically absorbed the late increase in wages. The industrial disturbances in America and Australia have accentuated the shipping difficulty, which was gradually getting -back to normal with the return of the transports to their pre-war spheres. It is patent to all members, says the report, that some other method must be tried to effectively cope with the burden of -soaring prices. It has been suggested that there should lie. an embargo placed on foodstuffs, leaving the country whilst .prices in New Zealand are, rising, bin this.'would throw the whole onus of responsibility on the waterside workers whilst they are yet other constitutional means untried. Tiie possibilities of an early election may affect 'lb- prices of commodities considerably. Referring to general union activities, there has been considerable criticism of the action of members in placing au embargo on snipping until \cssels have been thoroughly fumigated, and until they have completed full seven days from leaving infective ports, but the action has proved itself necessary to safeguard the health of workers and citizens generally. Ii has received the merited approval of,-practical people, particularly after the unfortunate arrival of s.s. Niagara with the late epidemic. '['lie appointment of one of our members, Mr. I'htte. Weaver, as health inspector has been of considerable assistance in affording members every security ag.iiti-t infection by a vigorous inspection of all vessel- arriving. Iv general the union activity report shows £600 raised and distributed towards ass-sting distressed member, dttr tig the half year. The Sick and Accident Insurance Fund, under secretary (.. T. Jones, .paid A.'IIS in sick pay during the half year. The Social Welfare Committee collected on an average £:l weekly at tin- various pay offices, and di-tri-btiled fruits, confectionery, and cigarettes to the value of that amount weekly at the various hospitals through the Ho-p;tal Comfort Funds, per Mr. R. Ill.Tckson, secretary. Tiie waterside football (Maritime) team's record has considerably improved, aud forms a creditable adjunct to waterside social activities. During the half year Saturday evening was set asitle by members as the waterside soc : al evening, and ail work has been suspended on that night. The Social Club meets in the Tracies Hal, which somewhat heavily taxed for uccom mo.la.tinu. Tiie numerous social activities have! necessitated a deputation waiting upor the Auckland Harbour Board towards in crea-ing the present accommodation which is considerably overtaxed by tin large influx of membership. The depti tation requested the ilirb-ur Hoard ti build and make provision for the f;-ttir. progress of the port, with necessari additions of dining rooms, library accom nmdation. billiard rooms, and hand room The deputation re<-,- *,1 a very sympa litetic hearing. is submitting plans of their propr»-als to a full meet ing of the boar.l. when this matter nil he further considered. Dealing with industrial affairs, the re port state- t'n.it tiie prei-ent agreemen with the employers expires in December 11)111. when new conditions and increase! wages will be considered. Remits to conference to be held eithe in Wanganui or Napier are being sent in Tiie Hand Commit toe reports a stlcce.-s ful campaign for funds, some L'7oo beinj subscribed 'luring the last three weeks The committee is still actively canvassing and hope to have raised the neeessar. £1,000 by the end of the month. i projected carnival in the Town Hall i •being organised to complete the cam paign. and to provide sufficient for tb conductor's salary and other expense during the first year. Tho eommitte desire to extend their thanks for th i assistance of the Press in the oampaigr I and to the general public who hay donated so liberally.