CONTROL OF WHARVES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 109, 9 May 1914, Page 6

CONTROL OF WHARVES

SHOULD HARBOUR BOARD TAKE CHARGE? CHAIPvMAN IN FAVOUR OF PROPOSAL. The proposal that the Harbour Board should take over complete control of the waterfront, as advocated by a deputation from tho executive of the Wharf Labourers' Union which waited on the , Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) yesterday, has the strong support of Mr. R. Fletcher, chairman of the board. Seen by a Post reporter this afternoon, Mr. Fletcher stated that in view of the great difficulties being v experienced on the wharves, and the intermittent and unsatisfactory nature of the work, he had moved a resolution at the recent conference of harbour board chairmen, convened by the Premier, that the Government bring down legislation enabling harbour boards to optionally take charge of all work on the wharves. Tho effect of this would bo to establish at once a permanent staff. In Wellington's case, for instance, a staff of between 600 and 800 men would bo formed into various departments — stevedoring, coal*working, general cargo working, and so forth — with the board in control. Tho necessary legislation, if it were carried, would go a long way towards minimising the evil of casual labour, and the staff would have the ordinary privileges. Permanency, superannuation, and insurance would bo as-, sured, and tho policy would mean the formation of a force of competent men, working contentedly under satisfactory conditions.' It might mean a slight in* creaso in the cost of the work, both to the shipping companies and the boards, but if such legislation were brought down it would Be an earnest of the desire on the part of those anxious to solve a very difficult problem. "Unfortunately," added Mr. Fletcher, "the motion, which was heartily supported by Mr. J. H. Gunson, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, and several other chairmen, was 'turned down.' Of course, it would have been necessary to refer the proposal to the shipping companies interested, but I am tiuite sure it would have been a step in $ie right direction."