WATERSIDE WORK

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 153, 25 March 1937, Page 12

WATERSIDE WORK

Three Ministers Attend Stop-work Meeting

SOME PLAIN SPEAKING

Appeal to Play the Game An event that is said lo be without precedent in the history of waterfront labour in New Zealand was tlie presence of three Ministers of tlie Crown at: a stop-work meeting held yesterday morning by Hie Wellington Materside Workers’ Union. The Ministers present were the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, the Minister of Marine. Hon. P. Fraser, and Hie Minister of Mines. Hon. P. C. Webb. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, it is stated, was also expected to attend, but he did not put In an appearance. Mr. J. Roberts, secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation, was also present at the meeting, which was largely attended. No official statement regarding what transpired at the meeting was made, but it is understood that the Ministers attended to address the men on what was expected from them respect of work on the waterfront. The building in which the meeting was held is said to have been closely picketed. The Ministers are said to have spoken in “straight terms” to the meeting and appealed to the men to play the game and give the utmost co-operation in the handling of ships’ cargoes. The position in regard to waterside work in the ports of the Dominion is known to have been causing grave concern in recent months not only to Hie shipping companies, harbour boards and others concerned with the business of handling ships and cargoes, but also to the Government, which is the owner of all the butter and cheese, totalling some 250.000 tons a year, exported from New Zealand. It is stated that the situation is particularly serious at Auckland, where the operations of that port as far as waterside labour is concerned were recently referred to by the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board as “an absolute disgrace.” Wellington is generally regarded by those in the shipping business as the best port in New Zealand as far as waterside work is concerned, although, it is stated, the position here is not as good as it was a year ago. A new agreement negotiated between tlie shipowners and tlie waterside workers came into operation recently, conceding much improved pay and better working conditions. It is stated that in view of the concessions made by tlie shipowners the leaders of Hie waterside workers made a promise that a normal rate of work would be reverted to by the men.

HARBOUR BOARD VIEWS Possibility of Higher Port Charges MORE EFFICIENCY NEEDED Regret that. Hie waterside workers had not responded to the improved conditions of tlie new award by giving mure efficient service was expressed by the chairman, Mr. D. J. McGowan, at the annual meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board yesterday. The possibility of increased charges to the users of the port was mentioned. After reviewing the year’s activities, the chairman said : — “I do not think I should close my remarks without emphasising Hint this review refers only to the year ended September hist. Since then a much less favourable outlook has developed. The board lias had to meet tlie heavy cost of the new watersklers’ award with retrospective pay to October 1 last, and extra payment for work on Saturdays at time-and-a-quarter rates operating from February Jl.last. 1 regret to have to say that our experience so far shows that Hie increased wages and improved conditions under the new award of the watersiders have not been responded to in better work by the waterside workers employed by the board. “The figures so far as I have examined them show a noticeable lessening of effort on the part of these men and a disproportionate increase in the cargo working costs, so much so. that it is difficult for me to make any anticipations iu regard to the prospects for 1937: these must be tempered by the present unsatisfactory position and outlook.

“It is clear to me," added the chairman, “that the board will at an early date have to revise its tariff in order to provide more revenue from the various available sources. As the policy of the board has been to endeavour to reduce Its charges to the users of the port, such ii step is regrettable. but, I am afraid, inevitable.” Mr. T. 11. Barrer said that it had been reported to the board that a man working on the wharf had turned round and remarked to the foreman: “You do the job yourself.” “If that is correct, then all I haw to say is that there was one man too many on that job.” added Mr. Barrer. “1 don't know whether it was the foreman or the other chap, but I repeat there was one man too many. If these men refuse to do something like a reasonable day’s work, then the panel from which we select our employees should be exhausted until these people are weeded out. I heard it said that probably 90 per cent, of the men on the wharves are decent fellows. If it is so, the 10 per cent, should go and we should have decent work from decent men. We ask only for a fair thing. We cannot pass on the charges to which the chairman has referred. Every other section of the community can do it.” Mr. A. Fletcher; No, sir, they cannot.

Mr. Barrer said that as a member for a country constituency, he would like to have something to say before the chairman’s tariff predictions were given effect to. Mr. R. MeKeen, M.P., said they must not express themselves too heatedly on these questions. It might be that there were certain misunderstandings among the men as to the conditions obtaining under the new award. It would take time to straighten out things, and he was satisfied that when the matter was brought to the notice of the men they would undertake to give of their best. Among the employees on the waterfront of Wellington there were exceptionally good men —men who were honest ami prepared to give of their best at all times. “I feel that with co-operation

the board will get the best results,” added Mr. MeKeen. The chairman: I hope so. Mr. MeKeen: That is a matter we can consider at some future date. Whatever remissness may have eventuated among the men it is, I am sure, due to the causes I have mentioned. I have everv faith in the men, and I am satisfied they will apply themselves.. , Mr. H. Morrison said that in his opinion the board should avoid increasing charges and insist upon greater efficiency. He could say definitely from his knowledge of farming that the chilled beef of New Zealand was not handled as it ought to be. Cases were brought down to be shipped and when the whistles were blown things were left just as they were. "There is dissastisfaction with the handling all over New Zealand, so much so that we had to make complaints to the Prune. Minister and other members of Cabinet.” said Ml. Morrison. "It is like a surgical operation: it must be done thoroughly or else there, is destruction. "Before we put extra charges on the public and on the producers of this country,” he added, “we should see if we cannot come down to efficient methods which will make charges as light as possible. Although good prices are being obtained by one section there are others who are still having a bad time, and are not in a position to meet extra charges."