REPORT RECEIVED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 63, 14 March 1940, Page 10

REPORT RECEIVED

WATERFRONT WORK

CONFERENCE OF PARTIES

CO-OPERATION URGED

"The object of the Government is to evolve a system that will contain "more harmony, give greater inducement to the men engaged in the work, provide a decent standard of living, and expedite the dispatch of all our produce to the overseas markets," said the Minister of Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb) in summarising the Government's attitude towards the waterfront problem after a conference of representatives of the men and shipping companies in Parliament Buildings yesterday afternoon. The conference, which was presided over by Mr. Webb, received the report of the inter-departmental committee which has been investigating employment conditions on the waterfront with a view to their improvement. A further conference is, to be held on Monday next.

, The conference was addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser), the Minister of Finance (the Hori. W. Nash), and the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan).

In an interview Mr. Webb said that Mr. Fraser, Mr. Nash, and Mr. Sullivan had all emphasised in their addresses the absolute necessity for the utmost co-operation between all sections, not only in the waterfront industry, but in every other phase of national life. All Ministers were most definite in their pronouncements )that there had to be better organisation on the waterfronts, for the whole- prosperity of New Zealand was dependent upon the export of the country's produce overseas. Any.elements causing delay, in the export of these goods not only hampered the cause of the Allies but it had an immediate reflex in the sterling exchange overseas, upon which depended their imports of plant and raw material for the. development of New Zealand.

The Ministers pointed out that the war situation necessitated the utmost good will and co-operation to maintain a decent standard of living along iwith security, of employment: In return for this they expected the men on the waterfront to give of their best, i more especially during the present crisis, so as to help their fellow-men in other occupations as well as their kith and kin overseas. APPRECIATION EXPRESSED. Appreciation was expressed by the Ministers of the assistance already being given by the Waterside Workers' Federation, which, they stated, was facing its responsibilities with both courage and ability. The ship owners' representatives were equally helpful and determined to give the Government their fullest co-operation in the great task ahead.

Mr. Webb said that an interdepartmental committee presided over by Mr. R. E. Price, now Waterfront Controller for Auckland, which had been appointed to investigate the conditions of employment on the waterfronts and to suggest to the Government methods that might lead to an improvement, had been at work for several Weeks. That committee's report was now to hand, and notwithstanding its confidential nature the Government had decided to hand copies' to both the ship owners and waterside workers' executive to study its contents and make any suggestions that would be helpful. This both sides agreed to do. and the conference then adjourned till Monday afternoon when their observations on the report would be considered.

"The object of the Government," said Mr. Webb, "is definitely to evolve a system that will contain more harmony, give greater inducement to the men engaged in the work, provide a decent standard of living, and expedite the dispatch of all our products to the overseas markets. This applies not only to those engaged on the waterfront, but to all engaged in industry. The task is difficult, I think all will agree, but if all elements are prepared to concentrate on the national good nothing but good results will accrue to the people as a whole."