DELAYS IN CARGO SHIPMENTS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26211, 7 September 1950, Page 3

DELAYS IN CARGO SHIPMENTS

REPRESENTATION AT . CONFERENCE INVITATION TO WORKERS SUGGESTED An objection that waterside and Other workers concerned with the transport of goods from Lyttelton had not been represented at a recent conference called by the Canterbury Progress League to consider the delay in the transport of goods between the North and South Islands was made by several members of the Lyttelton Harbour Board yesterday. “Everyone bar the watersiders and the Girl Guides seemed to be at the conference,” said Mr R. E. Cairns. “Were they invited? If hot why not’ They are vitally interested.” An attack on the watersiders had been made at the conference, and no one could expect the co-operation of a body if it was attacked in its absence. said Mr T. Martin. “It is time that these conferences. refrained from viewing with suspicion the workers’ organisations which are just as interes‘ed in the welfare of the country as those on the other side of the table,” “Perhaps the watersiders are a factor in the delay, but I have yet to see any refererfte to such things as the obsolete railway yard. I hope that cn .,,™ e next occasion the conference u * * nvi^e n °t only lhe watersiders, but the harbour board employees and seamen, all of whom can make useful suggestions.” Mr E. C. Bathurst mentioned that at ! a National Party meeting a prominent member had said that all the blame for delays should not be put on the watersiders. ‘ I think you are under a misapprehension.” he added. “There is a lot of sympathy with the watersiders.” “I think it is for the Harbour Board to ask the Progress League that in future they should invite these organ- ' isations,” Mr C. W. Tyler said. Mr T. M. Charters said that the or- * ganisations would have an opportunity 1 of giving evidence to the Royal Com"- ’ mission set up to investigate the * waterfront. No action was taken.