WAITING FOR WORK.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 590, 19 August 1909, Page 6

WAITING FOR WORK.

DECRADINC EFFECTS,

A WATERSIDE GRIEVANCE. Dr. Isaac Watts, who is credited with the 1 familiar statement about tho interest taken by Satan.in "idlo hands," .would.havo.been interested if ho could havo heard tho Watcrsido Workers' dclegatos in their conference yesterday complaining of the demoralising effect, of waiting for work. The subjoct was introduced by the'following remit'from tho Wellington Union: — That all unions b>o advisod to endeavour to secure tho establishment of specified times of call for engagements of labour, to obviato tho • necessity of men hanging about tho wharves all-day waiting. The mover. (Mr. J. Bruton) said the companies knew what boats wero expected, and what cargo they were bringing, well enough to.cifablo fixed times of call to he observed. At present, the men waiting in the readingrooms or elsewhere could not settlo down "to reading, discussion, or mental rest when kept in an uneasy state of mind by the possibility of a call at any time. ■Mr. J. Osborne (Greymouth) seconded the motion. Ho said the. desired scheme was at present in operation at Greymouth, through the stand taken by the men. •Mr. A. L. Jones (Wellington), in supporting the motion, said the present position of the wharf labourer, was oiie of serfdom.' ■"He is .practically at the: beck and call of all employers. It requires great resolution to remain waiting for a long 'timo in the infernal place where we aro engaged; - If-a man goes out. for a little fresh air the foreman is almost sure to comb for labour while lie is away. If tho system we want was in force, we could get a little recreation, or those of us who don't'live too far from tho wharf could do a little gardening or something like that. ■ It .would be beneficial to our Health, and would relieve us greatly." Mr. J. Jackson (Greymouth) said employers could tell, the men when they would not be wanted, and th'us'a respite would lie obtained. It took tho grit out of a man to wait and wait for tho work to enable hitn to get a bit of bread, and butter. It was one of thq most trying experiences o. man could undergo, and to a certain extent humiliating. Mr. J. Purvis said -thp men - at, Timaru were- very much dissatisfied ..with the present want of method. The employers could tell them not trouble to do .so'. - "■ ' . , •

Mr; F. Lurch (Lyttelton) said that waiting about for'work 'had a : dograding effect, and tbey could see it every day. Tne tendencv was to make men. crawlers.

Mr. J. Lamont said 'that at Westport they had a. sot of rules. agreed upon be.ween the two parties, and a list of the work' to be done and the men required was posted op in tho slied in thte morning and again at 5 p.m. for .the night work. Sometimes the notico would say: "No labour required today," and tho men would have a day off. The .union had agreed to the imposition of afine on those who did not turn up when their names were posted up. ' : A delegate: Model Westport! Both the. Napier delegates (Messrs. D. M'Carthy and D. Casey) opposed the motion as impracticable. Mr; D. M'Laren (Wellington) said men should not bo treated like animals —taken out of their stalls and turned-to whenever the employers wanted. It was a most objectionable' system altogether.' -The motion . would still allow the .unions to make special terms to meet local circumstances, but in general there should be two. or three'fixed times in the day for'the engagement^of labour. Mr.. Bruton, in reply, said that, in Wellington, the labour for Mondays was engaged on Saturdays, and that showed that engagement beforehand was practicable. The motion was carried.