INVESTIGATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 159, 6 July 1940, Page 11

INVESTIGATION.

WATERSIDE LABOUR.

DELAY AT AUCKLAND.

MINISTER DEFENDS MEN,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Kepo rter.)

WELLENGTON. this day

Another defence of the waterside] workers, with specific reference to Auckland was made In the House of Representatives yesterday, by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb. In his opening remarks he referred to criticism levelled at the waterside workers by the member for Waipawa, Mr. Jull. He did not think that Mr. Jull would have made euch an irrational speech if he had given the subject some reflection. Nobody who commented on the waterside question should be governed by political bias. "This is a time when we. should get closer together," he added.

The Minister said that Mr. Jul] had been associated with the waterfront at Napier, and had complained about workbeing performed on a Sunday at 7/ an hour. The House was not informed that that rate had been fixed bv the companies and the union. That information was in the possession of the member for Waipawa.

Prior to the setting up of the new waterfront control, the work on the wharves had not been to the credit of New Zealand. The present Government had brought in a new system. "We are trying to give the men a soul to express in the work they do." he added. Under former conditions there was a tendency to "hang up" a boat. An Eight-Hour Delay. Referring to a report from Auckland that as a result of watersiders refusing to work after midnight on Wednesdaylast a vessel loading cargo for England had had to leave with more than 200 tons of cargo left lying in the wharf sheds, Mr. Webb said that from June 27 to July 3, the average hours worked a day by the men were 12. In some cases 14 hours had been worked on the last day, and it had been suggested that the men should go on a little longer. One hatch had not been quite filled, and there had been an eight hours' wait for cargo. Somebody was responsible for that delay. The men had worked 14 hours and were aware that the boat was not sailing direct for Home, but was to proceed to another New Zealand port. The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser: Not going Home? Mr. Webb: No; she was going to another Dominion port. The Prime Minister: Then what's all the fuss about? Mr. Webb said that work stopped at midnight after the men had completed a strenfious week's work and lie was sure the shipping company would not express the view that had been reported. He thought the Waterside Commission had been unfairly criticised.

To Be Investigated. "I intend to have an investigation made and evidence taken concerning the Auckland case as published in the newspapers this morning," continued Mr. Webb. "It is desperately out of place at the present time." He had the assurance of the commission that had the vessel

been sailing direct for England the men would have remained at work until loading was completed. It would not leave New Zealand waters with less cargo than it could carry.

The Minister eaid he did not know wh y certain members were perpetually criticising the -waterside workers. Since the new system was inaugurated over 100 ships had been worked extended liours so that the ships could be turned round speedily. Class bias had been shown by members who had singled ■those men out for attack. The waterside was the bottle-neck of the country's industrial life and the Waterside Commission had been appointed so that the melius interests should be protected. It will have no place for men who will not pull their weight; and those who do their work will be adequately compensated," he added.