PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DISHONESTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 213, 7 September 1921, Page 6

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST DISHONESTY.

(To the Editor.} Viir,—Tim letter by the Rev. A. P. Conic, Jlissioner to Seamen. Auckland, calling attention to smuggling on the wharves and suggesting that all waterside workers submit to a search in the interests of all honest wharf workers, is ii very good one and I liope will be en-dor-cd and adopted by the waterside worker*" Unions throughout New Zealand. Without doubt, there is a large amount of pilfering on wharves—the continually recurring prosecutions are evidences of the fact. Owing to the difficulty, of detection! through the inadequacy of measures of prevention, something more drastic and efficient should be adopted.. Certainly a policy of rigorous search, in addition to other measures to be thought out. is highly adrieable and necessary for all employed on wharf work, and the sooner it is put into action the better for all classes, both employers and the general public, for the looses by smuggling have to be passed on tp the general community, thus needlessly raising the cost of living and bringing hardship to the innocent. But I would al-so suggest an extension of this plan, it should be applied to all industry and public functions (where necessary). We have the continual recurring defalcations and prosecutions in public services of all classes, and I am informed by those in position, that leakages in mercantile business generally amount to a large sum annually. Com-, mercial interests, governmental services, municipalities, etc.. should.certainly con-' fer and take united action to devise means to stop this needless and criminal loss -which affects the whole community, and Mr. Cuwie's valuable suggestion should be one essential part of the plan, to be quickly adopted.—l am, etc., PUBUC WELFARE.