PROPOSED STEVEDORING ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17015, 11 December 1920, Page 8

PROPOSED STEVEDORING ASSOCIATION.

g - AN AUCKLAND CRITICISM. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TJJIXGHAM.) AUCKLAND, Dvcembcr 10. A proposal tor the lonnation of u New Zealand Co-operativo Stevedoring Association was considered by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at its mo-t----mg held to-day. Tho toilowing resolution was. passed: "Tnat tho Auckland Una in ber or Commerce, wliiio in sympathy with the co-operation of 1 labour and capital, is' appreiieiiotvo ot the proposed j.sew Zealand co-operative Stevedoring Association upon tho lines of a 0 agreement published by tile New Zealand Welfare JLeaguo, tor tho following reasons: (,1) Tho agreement has been arrived at without any publicity being given; (2) the agreement proposes a monopoly of tho handling of carKO, such monopoly to be under tno control of tho shipping companies and the Wate;:&ldo Federation; (3) the wharves and plaH' for tho handling of cargo, and its temporary storage, are public property, provided by public money; (4) the fixing of wages, which must ultimately bo pa" l for bj* the public, is left (solely in the hands of a monopoly; (3) competition for stevedoring is abolished; (0) both parties to the agreement are under a .suspicion of exploiting the public unduly and unnecessarily, while one party is ii declared supporter of the formatHTO# of a 'Council of Action,' which is admittedly an attack upon-constitutional government. Tho Chamber therefore calls upon the Government to enquire into the agreement and terms of same, and demands that tho public, through tho harbour boards, tho merchants, accredited labour unions, and any other individuals or bodies wnich can throw any light upon the question, be heard at such enquiry, which must be open to tho public and the Press of the Dominion."