WATERSIDE WORK

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 175, 21 April 1937, Page 12

WATERSIDE WORK

“Waste and Destruction on Wharves” STATEMENT BY MR. W. J. POLSON, M.P. “Position Calls Aloud for Adjustment” By Telegraph—Press Association. New Plymouth, April 20. "It is difficult to estimate the loss created by waste and destruction occurring on the Dominion's wharves, but it probably amounts to something approaching £1,000,000,” said Mr. W. J. Pol ■son, M.P.. when eommeiitng oti the remarks of Mr. G. C. G. Macindoe, chairman of tlie Auckland Harbour Board, in connection with the work of New Zealand watersiders. No step had yet been taken by tlie Government, lie said, to make public its actions iu connection with the urgent representations made on March 16 by tlie New Zealand Primary and Ancillary Industries Producers’ Council asking it "to hold a public inquiry immediately into labour conditions upon the waterfront with a view to reduction and removal of the waste and national losses now being incurred.” “So far there has been no response to the demand for an inquiry,” said Mr. Polson, in detailing the situation as seen by the producers’ council, of which lie is chairman. "Does any significance attach to tlie fact that since the demand was made the most powerful figure in the waterfront labour organisation, Mr. James Roberts, secretary to the Waterside Workers’ Federation of New Zealand, has been triumphantly elected president of the New Zealand Labour Party?” Farmers who had seen their costs steadily rising, and who had observed the automatic rises in freezing and shipping charges were already aware that a great deal of the added toll upon their produce was levied on the waterfront, continued Mr. Polson. The loss created by tlie waste and destruction occurring probably amounted to nearly £1,090.000. When there was added to that figure increased costs, first, ashore in the sending hack and freezing down of produce which the men refused to load, and secondly, at the ship’s side in the overloading of each job with unnecessary men, doublebanking and go-slow tactics, the amount of loss to the farming community became far greater. “Responsible officers of ocean-going ships have made definite statements that, in spite of the fine equipment on our wharves, our waterside conditions are the worst in the world.” said Mr. Polson. "In Australia produce is loaded at double tlie speyd and half the cost. In Argentina. our other great competitor, work is done even more expeditiously, and at less cost than iu Australia. "No Government can stand by and see things go on as they are,” he declared. “The present situation creates an intolerable position that cries aloud for adjustment, and it must be adjusted. Mr. Roberts has been elected president of the New Zealand Labour Party. The important point in this connection is. of course, whether it is waterside labour's answer to the demand for a cessation of the waste and destruction on the wharves of New Zealand, or merely a tribute to the growing power of this class of labour.” DUNEDIN SUPPORT FOR AUCKLAND CRITIC Slackening of Speed Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, April 26. The contention of the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr. G. C. G. Macindoe. tittit the handling of ships’ cargoes by waterside workers in New Zealand left much to be desired received support from several local shipping agents, the consensus of opinion being that conditions on the waterfront were far from satisfactory and that cargoes wore not being handled with tlie dispatch that was customary some years ago. “There are some good m?n working on the Dunedin wharves, but they are outnumbered by those who merely till in time.” a shipping agent said. “We do not get the work out of the men that we used to, and when non-union labour is employed tlie Waterside Workers' Union loses no time in replacing outsiders with its own men so that nonunionists are lucky if they get a day's work in a week. Mr. Macindoe deserves a great deal of credit for coming out so boldly, as it is high time that something was done. It is a disgrace that mail boats and other vessels do not get a fair dispatch. Tlie stevedores certainly do not demand too much in asking that waterside work ers give a fair return for their money, but, unfortunately, it is the general experience in most of tlie principal ports in the Dominion that the greater proportion of the workers give meagre services for tlieir wages." “I have no comment to make on the position.” said Mr. J. B. Waters, chairman of the Otago Harbour Board. “The board does not employ waterside labour in Dunedin and it has not received a report regarding the conduct of the men for some time. We, however, have had no complaints.” MR. J. ROBERTS COMMENTS ON AUCKLAND THREAT A threat, by Hie chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Mr. G. C. Macindoe, tliat. unless greater speed was shown by waterside workers in handling cargo, the Auckland and other harbour boards might be compelled to appoint their own waterside staffs, was replied to yesterday by Mr. James Roberts, secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation. “I am surprised that Mr. Macindoe has again introduced this matter, as. at the present time, negotiations are being carried on to operate the work on the waterfront under a different system,” said Mr. Roberts. “Recently a deputation of waterside workers waited on Mr. Macindoe, and they understood ho had agrei'd to this system being put info operation.” Mr. added that he would la- surprised if tlie Auckland employers of waterside labour would agree to tlie proposal suggested by Mr Maefndoe. that was. that th«> Auckland Harbour Board should appoint its owr staff to do the work.