Govt orders inquiry on containers

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32565, 26 March 1971, Page 1

Govt orders inquiry on containers

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 25. An independent inquiry into the handling of containers in New Zealand will be instituted by the Government.

This was announced tonight by the Minister of Labour (Mr Marshall) who said it had become clear that the Wellington container dispute could not be resolved in isolation.

Mr Marshall said he could not condone the action of waterside workers in imposing a handling ban on containers for coastal and Tasman shipping.

But he added: “I should say in fairness that I believe the watersiders have a claim which deserves to be impartially considered.” However, the ban had to be lifted before any meaningful progress could be made in settling the dispute. Mr Marshall said the Government was prepared to consult the parties concerned on the members and order of reference for the inquiry. All interested parties would have the opportunity to give evidence. Wharf claim “In trying to settle the present dispute ... I have felt that it could only be resolved satisfactorily if the work were done on the wharf,” said the Minister. “But we have run up against insuperable obstacles to this being done in the meantime. ’“I have made it clear to the parties that I could not agree to the work now being done by storemen and packers, off the wharf, being done by watersiders off the wharf at the much higher watersiders’ rates of pay and conditions. “I have also accepted the evidence that watersiders have a claim to this work, based on the fact that they formerly handled much of this cargo on the wharf before the introduction of offwharf depots for the packing

and unpacking of containers,” Mr Marshall said.

The dispute could not be dealt with in isolation. Other factors included the consolidation and carriage of wool in containers. Difficulties had already arisen and there were conflicting views between the Wool Board, Federated Fanners and wooi brokers, on the one hand, and some shipping companies and unions on the other. “The use of the wharves for packing and unpacking containers has been opposed by the harbour boards. There are also unresolved questions on the division of work between watersiders and harbour board employees. “There is the problem of integration of container traffic into the railway system, and the longer-term but major matter of the handling of large international cellular containers which will eventually carry the great bulk of our imports and exports,” Mr Marshall said. Ban still on Officials of the Waterside Workers’ Union tonight refused to comment on the Government’s proposed inquiry until they had reported to their members. The secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Federation (Mr J. E. Napier) and the president of the Wellington union (Mr J. W. Milne), made it clear that the Wellington watersiders’ five-week-old ban on consolidated containers would continue in the meantime. Cargo freed Auckland watersiders yesterday released 23 containers neld up by the ban on Alltrans Group traffic. The containers held jars and bottles from Crown Crystal, Christchurch.

A Waterside Workers’ Union spokesman said the containers were released on behalf of the firm on an understanding that the bill of lading would be taken away from Alltrans.

This, in effect, takes the business from Alltrans and makes it a consignment from Crown Crystal through the Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd.

The union spokesman said that this action did not mean that other firms

affected by the ban could take the same steps and get their goods. "Each case will be dealt with on its merits,” he said, “as long as Alltrans is out of it.” It is believed that similar moves have been made in Christchurch and Wellington.

A Union Company spokesman said that about 40 containers were held by the ban at Auckland, before the 23 were released. The Auckland ban on Alltrans began on March 12 in sympathy with the Wellington ban. Alltrans has said that it is "in the dark” about reasons for the ban. It is the only firm “blacked.” Many affected The president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce (Mr A. R. Simm) said today that more than 230 Seafreighter and other containers were now awaiting delivery. Raw materials for industry and commerce, including public health and veterinary requirements, finished goods, spare parts, and many more types of goods were involved in the hold-up. The public ultimately would have to bfear the cost, said Mr Simm.