CONTROL OF THE WATERFRONT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 190, 10 May 1938, Page 10

CONTROL OF THE WATERFRONT

One of the most dangerous possibilities of the local body elections to be held to-morrow is the threatened control of harbour administration by the militant section of the political “Labour” or Socialist Party. It is part of a settled plan, a plan to secure absolute control of transport and transport working conditions. In the district served by the Wellington Harbour Board the community has been fortunate in the past in having as its representatives on the board a majority of men of business training and wide vision. Over the years they have built up a wonderfully-equipppd harbour for shipping; they have conserved their resources, and from time to time made improvements in berthing accommodation, cargo-handling facilities and stores; and had built a great floating dock. All these things'have added to t*he wealth and prosperity of Wellington city, and also to that of the expanse of rich farming country and flourishing provincial towns which the Port of Wellington serves.

The well-being of citizens, farmers and business people is largely wrapped up in the successful administration of the Port of Wellington. Careless or extravagant management would mean increased cos.ts to everyone. The housewife would have to pay more for the goods that come to her from overseas and pass over the wharves; the charges to the farmer on the produce he exports overseas would be increased, an i the business man would be similarly affected by the charges on the goods he imports. It is of vital importance to everyone, therefore, that the men chosen to represent the citizens, the business people and the farmers on the Harbour Board should be men of sound judgment and business experience; but, above all things, men concerned only for the management of the port in the interests of the community as a whole.

It can be said of the candidates who are known in the present local body elections as citizens’ candidates, that they have no other end to serve than the straightforward job of administering the affairs of the Harbour Board to the best of their ability for the benefit of all. With the so-called "Labour” candidates the position is very different. They have an ulterior purpose. They are pledged to the Socialist platform —they aim to secure control of the waterfront. That, indeed, is their main objective. Their principal candidate for the Wellington board, Mr. J. Roberts, is the head of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, and also the head of the political organisation of the party. What is likely to happen if he and a majority of his party secure control of the Harbour Board and water front? Already conditions there are bad enough with hold-ups and disputes which cause inconvenience and loss to everyone With a “Labour” board the next step would be "job control” and citizens and shippers and shipowners would be entirely in the hands of the Labour bosses on the waterfront.

What applies to the Port of Wellington applies in more or less degree to other Harbour Board contests throughout the Dominion. The only safeguard for citizens is the exercise of their own votes in favour of candidates on the citizens’ tickets.