DRUMS OF TETRA ETHYL LEAD

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25891, 25 August 1949, Page 4

DRUMS OF TETRA ETHYL LEAD

WATERSIDERS REFUSE TO HANDLE CARGO

LYTTELTON DISPUTE

A dispute has arisen at Lyttelton over the unloading of 10 drums of tetra ethyl lead from the overseas vessel Leicester. The acting-branch manager of the Waterfront Industry Commission at Lyttelton, Mr J. O. Johnson, told “The Press’’ last evening that waterside workers refused to handle the drums on the ground that the contents were dangerous. The national executive of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union had advised the Lyttelton branch of the union “not to touch it,” said Mr Johnson. The local executive of the union had authorised the consignees, the Shell Company of New Zealand, to unload the drums with their employees. However, the commission would not permit this action, holding that it was watersiders’ work to unload the drums.

Mr Johnson said misleading reports about the danger of tetra ethyl lead had appeared in the “Transport Worker” on August 10. A demonstration was given to the Port Committee on Tuesday by two experts from Wellington, and Dr. D. P. Kennedy, of the Health Department. “The evidence placed before the Port Committee proved conclusively that there is no danger in the handling of this fluid, provided that the regulations laid down by the Associated Ethyl Company are complied with; that is, the provision of gloves and the availability of protective cfothing to deal with any leak that may occur,” said Mr Johnson. “However, the national executive advised the Lyttelton watersiders to-day not to touch the drums, and there the matter rests.”