WORK ON THE WATERFRONT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 135, 9 June 1936, Page 6

WORK ON THE WATERFRONT.

The letters of "Just Learning" and "Winch End" open up the question of whether tlic Watersiders' Union is to be a dumping ground for anyone who happens to be out of work or in Auckland for a holiday. Some would come to town for a holiday, join the union and deprive the men who were there year in and year out of their work. There are several returned men, quite competent workers, on the outside, also ex-watersiders, who should bo on the inside. I think that the method of selecting members could be improved on. At the last ballot men who had never worked 011 the waterfront were admitted, while returned soldiers and exmembers with good records were left on the outside. The union should be kept up to a certain strength, sufficient to work the port, and this should be brought up at every monthly meeting. This way would stop the argument about the union being closed, and all who apply for membership should have to prove to the union that they know something about the work. I think at the next ballot if men who have worked on the wharves for years and have first-class records, men who have stood to the union in all its lights, were given the consideration they deserve, the feeling that exists would soon die. HOPEFUL.