WATERSIDE WORKERS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12867, 27 July 1907, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER OF MARINE. (PMCIS AMOCIATION TELEQ»A>X.) WELLINGTON, July 26. A deputation from the waterside workers waited on the Minister of Marine lest night. Mr McLean, the ohief spokesman, said the Conference reported tbat four thousand men were employed on the wharves of the oolony, and they desired to place before the Minister resolutions arrived at by the Conference. These included a recommendation to Government to pass legislation limiting the sice of coal baskets and grain sacks, the -appointment of Government- officers* to report on all oases of accidents at tho wharves, the payment on behalf of the men of full medical fees in cases of accidents, the provision of proper waiting and retiring rooms, with baths for men working on wharves, the remission of duty on Hour and potatoes-, the recommendation of a Fair Rent Bill, the representation of the wharf workers on the 'i.irboui bo&.-ds, the amendment of the Arbitration Act, to make the Railway Department a party to awards in respect to wharf labourers, a statutory Saturday half-holiday, the exclusion of Asiatics, compulsion for harbour boards to s.upply requisites for first aid on wharves, the nationalisation of the food supplies, and compulsory insurance of labourers. The Minister rnomised to do tho best be could to 'invo the size of coal baskets regulated, «• nd said he would endeavour to have -'001b fixed as tho weight of a wheat ■ ack. Ho would give instructions to nave tho gear used in coal handling inspected every three months.' It was tne duty of every Harbour Board to provide first aid requisites, lavatories, etc. As to the flour and potato luties. these wero matters for the Oabinet to decide. Since he had held office, he had done something to give labour representation on Harbour Boards, but thero waa a difficulty in linking the Boards elective. As to a White New Zealand, he thought the •ducational test would prove sufficient to prevent any great number of Chinese coming into this country.