WATERFRONT WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 71, 25 March 1937, Page 12

WATERFRONT WORK

RATE OF PERFORMANCE

MORE EFFICIENCY URGED

PRODUCERS' POINT OF i ' view

Further references to the unsatisfactory position on the waterfront, referred to by the chairman (Mr. D. -I. McGowan) at the annual meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday, were made after "The Post" went to press.

Mr. T. R. Barrer said that an instance had been mentioned of a man telling his foreman to do the job himself. "I do not know whether the man or the foreman was to blame for the refusal of a lawful command, but I say if that was correct there was one man too many there, and whatever attitude the board may take on ihe Question,' I say that if these men refuse to do something like a reasonable day's work the panel from which the board selects these employees should be exhausted, until these men are weeded out. I have heard it said that 90 per cent of the men on the wharves are decent fellows. If it is so, the 10 per cent, should go out and we should

have decent work from decent, men. We cannot pass on the increased charges to which the chairman has referred. Every other section of the community can do it."

Mr. A. Fletcher: No, sir

As a member of a country constituency, continued Mr. Barrer, he would like to have something to say before the chairman's tariff predictions were given effect to. . ■

MIGHT BE MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

■ Mr. R. McKeen, M.P., said they must not at this stage speak too heatedly oh these questions. It might be that there were certain misunderstandings amongst the men as to the conditions obtaining under the new award.'These matters took time to straighten out. "I am sure, when there has been time for this, the' men will give of their best. I agree with the remarks made that amongst the employees on the waterfront of Wellington there are exceptionally good men, men who are honest and prepared to give of their best at all times. I feel that with co-operation the board will get the best, results."

The Chairman: I, hope so.

Mr. McKeen: That is a matter we can consider at some future date., and whatever remissness may have eventuated amongst the men, it. is. I am sure, due to the causes I have mentioned. I have every faith.in the men,, and I am satisfied they will apply themselves.

Mr. H. Morrison said that as far as possible the board should avoid increasing the charges and insist on more efficiency. He could say from his knowledge of farming operations that the chilled beef of New Zealand was not handled as it ought to be. When the whistles were blown things were

left just as they were. Chilled beef was a special article, but it was left just where it stood. There was dissatisfaction with its' handling all over New Zealand, so much so that they had to make complaints to Cabinet and the Prime Minister about it. The handling of chilled beef was, like a surgical operation: it must be done thoroughly. They must have efficiency for the handling of that stuff. "1 am informed," he continued, "that it is more knocked about than it should be; the handling is not satisfactory. Cheese boxes are also more knocked about than they should be. We should get more efficiency in the handling of these exports than we are getting at the present time. Before we help to impose more charges on the public and 'on the producers of this country, we should see if we cannot get down to efficient methods, which will make charges as light as possible. It may be that good prices are being obtained by one section, but there are others not so fortunate who cannot meet' extra charges."

The work on the wharves Is often held up, not by the "wharfies." but by producers not having their produce on the wharf at the time, the ships are working, stated a waterside 'worker today. When the men are ordered down to work after 6 p.m. and have to work on to 10 p.m., there has not been enough cargo to keep them going. If all these wasted hours were added to days, and the days to weeks, the position would show more clearly. "We all want to work with the farmers." he said, "and as members of the Watersiders* Union we all realise the position. We want to co-operate with them and with the Government."