LOADED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25737, 24 February 1949, Page 4

LOADED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

DOMINION MONARCH AT WELLINGTON

WATERSIDERS CRITICAL; COMPANY REPLIES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, February 23. The Dominion Monarch’s stay in port for three days after finishing the loading of butter, meat, cheese, and wool for Britain was criticised in a statement to-day by the president of the Wellington Waterside Workers’ Union (Mr A. J. Dellaway). The vessel will sail on Saturday. Mr Dellaway said that employers and shipping companies were quick to let the public know, and blame the watersiders for the slow turn-round, when an overseas ship was delayed, but nothing was said when the ship was loaded ahead of schedule. His company was gratified that, because of satisfactory work and good weather, the Dominion Monarch had completed loading, except for stores and baggage, three days ahead of schedule, said Mr D. A. Robertson. New Zealand manager of the Shaw Savill and Albion Company, when Mr Dellaway’s statement was referred to him.

Mr Robertson added that as the vessel was running to a schedule, with passengers embarking and disembarking at all ports of call from Sydney to Southampton, no useful purpose would be served by her earlier departure. “If a similar turn-round could be guaranteed in future, the company would welcome the opportunity of carrying a greater volume of outward cargo, which on this occasion has been reduced to maintain the schedule dates,” concluded Mr Robertson.