Work on Waterfront Sir,—It is well known that a state of

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 173, 19 April 1937, Page 13

Work on Waterfront Sir, —It is well known that a state of

affairs demanding immediate consideration has developed on the waterfronts of New Zealand ports. Captains of shijis trading to these shores have complained, and members of harbour boards have drawn public attention, to the tactics being adopted by the waterside workers. A number of these remarks have been published in “The Dominion, so there is no need to go over them again. But the conditions obtaining on New Zealand wharves have not escaped the notice of travellers from other countries, and if you will permit it, I would like to quote some remarks made by Mr. R. S. Maynard, editor_ of the Australian Live Stock Bulletin,” in the April issue of that pKiper. Mr. Maynard, who was travelling on the Aorangi, says:—“There was a lot of violent opinion in Auckland, because the ship was held up through slowness in loading. It was said by one of the officers that Auckland had always been one of the worst ports on the route, but since the advent of Mr. Savage’s Government it had become a calamity. The Wharf Labourers’ Union, he said, bad things in its own hands. It set the time the men worked and the number of men available. Its idea was to string the job out as long as possible under the belief that this meant more money for more men. To me it seemed a sure way of reducing the standard of living-—perhaps imperciptibly, but none the loss actually—for every one in New Zealand. It made it a little more difficult for New Zealand io compete with the world. I timed one gang that was loading pea's. Four men put five hags on a wooden tray to which slings were attached. It look seven men to work the winche® and put five bags in the hold.. Eight minutes elapsed before the next slingful was put in Die hold. It was such slow going that one of the winchmen read his paper between the slings. A lovely life, buf how long will it last?” It is generally recognised, Sir, that the <’ame sort of thing is going on all over New Zealand, and one is amazed that even a Labour Government should let it continue. We all know that Mr. Semple demands a fair day’s work from Public Works employees; why do not his collongues see to if that the wharf workers nlay the game also? Ts it that the union bosses are so strong flint flio.v can call the tune, and the Government just 'lances? —1 am, etc., ANON. IVelbnaton. April 15.