MUST WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 308, 28 December 1940, Page 8

MUST WORK.

TO LOAD SHIPS. MINISTER EMPHATIC. MAXIMUM WAR EFFORT. The seriousness of the shipping position in Auckland was referred to today by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, who stressed the necessity for the speedy turn-round of all shipping arriving at New Zealand ports from overseas. A committee, he said, had been set up on which were representatives of shipping and freezinjr companies, the Waterside Commission and Railway Department, its main duty being to arrange for the quick discharge of goods and dispatch of ships from the various ports of the Dominion. "This committee has already met," said the Minister. "It is taking iuto consideration every factor in the position with a view to the closest cooperation and co-ordination being brought about between all interests. The necessary rolling stock on the railways will be made available and the produce from the various freezing stores will be ready at the shortest notice. It has also been decided that refreshments will be provided for men engaged in this vital work when they arc engaged for extended hours in order to get ships away. In fact, everything will l>c done with a view to getting on with the job. "It is too late now to argue whether work will be carried out now on Saturdays or Sundays," the Minister continued. "The paramount need of the moment is for the ships coming to New Zealand to be turned round quickly. The whole of the economic life of the Dominion depends upon this. The Government is determined that every ton of produce it is possible to send to the Mother Country will be dispatched. Any delay on the part of New Zealand can only be regarded as criminal." When the Minister's attention was drawn to a statement to the effect that no work would be df>ne to-morrow at the Auckland Freezing Company's cool stores on the waterfront, he said he had been assured that the necessary arrangements had been made for this Sunday. "Whether work has to be done on Sundays or any other day, arrangements will be made for speedy" loading and discharging," he added. "Any slackening will be disastrous. In fact, it is not only shipping that is concerned. The whole of the country's production has to be organised to the maximum point of efficiency. It has to be taken into account that industry is short of 50,000 men who have joined up, and that makes the task all the heavier on those who remain in the country, and it behoves everybody to do better to-day than thev did yesterday. "I sincerely hope that the. new year will bring with it a feeling of closer cooperation and less political humbug in order that the country mav bring its'war effort to the highest pitch," he concluded.