"TWO YEARS LATE"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 139, 13 June 1940, Page 11

"TWO YEARS LATE"

WHARF WAGES ORDER

REPLY TO MR. HAMILTON

MR. PRICE'S OPINION

A reply to the statement of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, concerning work on the waterfront was made last evening by Mr. R. E. Price, chairman of the Waterfront Control Commission. "There was," said Mr. Price, "no valid reason for the picturesque and indeed extravagant language used by the honourable gentleman as the following explanation will show.

"Mr. Hamilton states that the rates are on' a peace-time basis for a 40-hour week. The facts are that the waterside workers offer their services from 8 o'clock each morning, Monday to Saturday inclusive, till midnight and later if necessary. In addition the men have worked on Sundays when requested to do so by the Commission. "Despite what Mr. Hamilton may say the extended hours which these, men have worked since the Commission has been appointed is a clear indication that they are making sacrifices and they have intimated to the Commission that they are prepared to do everything in their power to assist New Zealand's war effort. PURELY WAGE ADJUSTMENT. "With reference to his comment on the wages. increase we can only draw the conclusion that Mr. Hamilton did not study the memorandum to the order prior to making his statement to the Press," Mr. Price said. "Otherwise it would be difficult to understand his remarks which at best can only serve to cause disunity at a time when the ! efforts of every person in New Zealand should be directed towards creating unity and co-operation. The increase 'granted is purely a wage adjustment which should have been made approximately two years ago when the waterside workers' award expired, and does nothing more than to restore to the j workers in the industry the wage position as compared with other workers, which they had held for a long period of years.

"The Commissioners wish to assure Mr. Hamilton that they are as fully alive to the gravity of the war situation as any other citizen in the Dominion and have taken action day in and day out to assist New Zealand's national effort by organising the speediest dispatch of shipping. To date more than 50 vessels have been worked extended hours throughout New Zealand.

"For the information of Mr. Hamilton we desire to state that the Commission has received the co-operation of ship owners and arrived at an agreement with them by which the work of loading and discharging vessels will be performed on a contract basis. The rates agreed upon will not increase labour costs either to the producer in New Zealand or the Government of the United Kingdom, but will, in fact, enable a considerable saving to be made in ship operating costs by giving* quicker dispatch."