WATERFRONT WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 77, 1 April 1940, Page 6

WATERFRONT WORK.

Might I through your columns suggest a. way by which the Government might reduce the cost of waterfront work, also save themselves thousands of pounds yearly and save the people of thie country enormous, sums which they now pay for goode which have to be handled hy our too costly system of waterfront labour. First, let the Government live up to its boast of making n 40-hour week for everyone ty first giving the watersidere a 40-hour week; that is, if they dare to do such a thing to the watersidere? Next institute a system by which men who are on sustenance or scheme 13 will be available to work any time needed to be worked after 5 p.m. This would serve not only to employ hundreds of men weekly, lmt would also save the Government rim trouble of finding the money for subsidised work or sustenance. Again the cost would he for such labour just ordinary rates of pay, whereas at present the wharfiefc' time after i» p.m. runs on at exorbitant rates of pay. which cost, of course, goes on to the goods. Perhaps I am asking too much in pugpectins that Mr. Semple face the wharfics on such an iiwue, for we must always remember the wharfie* haw a strong union and a lot of votes unlike the unfortunates on scheme 13. LIVE AND LET LIVE.