REASONS FOR DELAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 10

REASONS FOR DELAY.

FREIGHTER LOCH DON.

WATERSIDE WORKERS REPLY.

Cabled remarks from Sydney by Captain Beaten, master of the freighter Loch Don, concerning alleged slow unloading operations of his cargo of timber at Auckland recently were commented upon this morning by the Press committee of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union. ■

"At that time there was great congestion at Auckland wharves," said the committee. "Captain Beaten's ship was sent to Western wharf. When officials ©f the union visited the ship it was found that heavy logs were stowed'aft, and in forward batches was smaller sawn timber. The logs bad to be dumped over tbe rail. It was then found that the sawn timber had been loaded so as to project above the rails—a position that is allowed on ships leaving American ports, but never British." That timber had to be cleared to allow the, winches to work properly. The committee said it was then found that much of the Loch Don's gear was faulty, and certain parts that were in a dangerous condition had to be replaced.

All these factors—congestion at the wharves, bad stowing and faulty gear —made for delay," stated the committee. "In any case, Captain Beaten had the opportunity of using two wharf •cranes, but he refused to allow them to be iused."' '?!

In conclusion the committee stated that the waterside workers wanted to co-operate in all matters on the waterfront. For example, to aid in relieving congestion at the wharves at present, the union had postponed its usual monthly stop work meeting from March 1 to March 8.