WATERFRONT CONTROL

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27151, 22 September 1953, Page 8

WATERFRONT CONTROL

INCREASES IN COST OF ADMINISTRATION WARNING BY HARBOUR BOARD CHAIRMAN (New Zealand Press Association) NAPIER, September 21. The cost of the Waterfront Industry Commission’s national administration fund was becoming serious, said the chairman of the Napier Harbour Board (Mr P. F. Higgins) at a meeting of the board today. Mr Higgins was discussing the proposed increase in the levy for the fund from Is to Is 7d a working hour. He recalled that some months ago he had been involved in a controversy with Mr A. E. Bockett, general manager of the commission, and had said then that it would be necessary to exercise some control to keep costs within limits. "The set-up has become a terrifically costly thing to New Zealand,” Mr Higgins said. In 1951-52 the commission’s income was £416,335, he said. In 1952-53 the cost has risen to £566,187, and the estimated cost for next year, Mr Higgins said, was £743,000. “It’s the same old story,” he added. “You set up a thing, and it doesn’t remain there. Costs don’t remain there either.” The cost for each waterside? for an H-hour day—the average day worked—was 17s sd, he said. "Apart from the wages they pay, employers are bound to pay Is 7d an hour worked for every watersider,” Mr Higgins said. The commission was doing good work, but it was doing work that shipping agents and employers previously did. It was routine vjork, and over recent years they had offered to take it over again, but the offer had been rejected. "The position will want watching,” he added.