WHARF WORK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 173, 24 July 1941, Page 10

WHARF WORK

WET WEATHER CLAUSE

EXPLANATION OF POSITION "I am sure members of the council will appreciate the frankness of the Waterfront Commission," said the president of .the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. L. A. Eady, at a meeting of the council of the chamber this morning, when the secretary of the commission wrote with reference to the nonworking of cargo on the occasion of a recent visit to Auckland by a Matson liner.

The letter stated that there had been some cases of abuse by the men of the wet weather clause of the commission's order. The cessation of work during wet weather had been a vexed question for many years and was not peculiar to New

Zealand. It was doubtful whether it could be overcome by amending the clause mentioned, which was similar to that signed between the parties in 1937, and almost identical with the provisions which had operated over the past 25 years. However, the employers and the union were at present conferring regarding suggested amendments to the clause. If no agreement could be reached between the parties, the matter would be referred to the commission for decision. Regarding the stoppage of work on the Mariposa, the letter pointed out that it ■rained almost incessantly during the whole day, resulting in all shipping at the port being idle. Some companies did not attempt to engage labour for an 8 a.m. start or for a later period during the day. If adequate protection from the weather was afforded the men there would be no difficulty in ensuring uninterrupted work on all classes of cargo. As the provision of gear was the responsibility of the shipping companies, the Waterfront Controller at Auckland had been requested to discuss the matter with the company concerned. The Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, also wrote stating that he had already taken up the matter with a view to the prevention of any similar occurrence.