WATERFRONT WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 85, 10 April 1943, Page 4

WATERFRONT WORK

(To the Editor.) Sir,—On behalf of the Wellington waterside workers, indeed of the men on the waterfront throughout the Dominion, we would like to make this reply to the editorial which appeared in your paper on April 7. We note that you refer to what you term three main points, viz., that there have been abuses, that the loading and discharging of vessels can be speeded up, and that there should be full cooperation with the Waterfront Control Commission. We would draw your attention to our statement of April 6 in which we assured the public that every endeavour would be made to eliminate the inefficiency and abuses which existed in the industry, but, whether intentionally or otherwise, you make no acknowledgement of the fact that inefficiency, for which the waterside workers cannot be blamed, exists in the management of • the industry. We contend that there is the greatest inefficiency in the organisation of the industry, and that many abuses exist in the utilisation of man-power not only in the port of Wellington, but in every port in New Zealand. Numerous instances could be quoted. A frequent occurrence is the arrival of waterside workers at the job in accordance with an order from the employers, only to find that they cannot be usefully engaged owing to the fact that members of other industries closely related to the waterfront are not available for work as, unlike the waterside workers, they are not employed on a twentyfour hour basis. (For example, drivers and carters are not working these long hours, nor are the warehouses open for twenty-four hours a day.) Surely this is mismanagement pure and simple, for the watersider turns up to perform a job which cannot be proceeded with solely through lack of co-ordination.

Readers of your paper can rest assured that greater efficiency will be apparent only when complete cooperation amongst all parties concerned is achieved. The waterside workers are willing to make every endeavour to effect greater improvements in the loading and discharging of cargo, but they cannot attain this end unless they receive the assistance of the employing authorities. We are pleased to have the support of your paper in our demands for a reduction of hours on the waterfront, as for the past forty years the waterside workers have made representations for a shorter working day. It is recognised, however, that with the present acute shortage of man-power a working day of three eight-hour shifts is impracticable. It must be realised that waterfront labour is casual, that there is no regulation of shipping, and that now, owing to war conditions, vessels arrive in convoy, which necessitates a huge reserve of labour, as ships must be worked immediately they reach port, but as soon as the job is done and the vessels leave the wharves there is a surplus of labour, and the waterside workers have no other avenues of employment from which to derive sufficient to maintain themselves and their families in a decent standard of living. Like every other citizen, the watersider is entitled to economic security, and it has been the aim of the union the years down to have provision made for sbme payment or compensation during slack periods on the waterfront. ' To your remarks regarding spelling, we would-say that when men are employed for long hours handling freezer and other cargoes, they are entitled to a reasonable spell—indeed, such rests are necessary if they are to maintain a high tonnage rate. We contend that the time taken for these spells is amply compensated for by the subsequently increased output. In reply to your query as to the relationship between the forthcoming General Election and efficiency on the waterfront in wartime, we would point out that during the last election tho major issues of the National Party's platform were subordinated to a general attack on the waterside workers of New Zealand, and that this party maintained a continuous tirade of abuse against the men on the waterfront during that period, their main issue being the alleged'poor working and fabulous wages of our members.

Immediately the Government announced its intention of holding a General Election this year, it appeared that the same policy was to be adopted, for we regard the remarks made at a recent meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board as the first shots in the propaganda campaign against the waterside workers.

The watersiders of New Zealand have nothing to hide from the public. They have on all occasions rendered great service to the industry, they are doing a good job now, ond will be enabled to increase their efforts immediately the existing inefficiency in the organisation of the industry is removed.

T. HILL, Secretary, N.Z. Watersiders'

Union. E. A. NAPIER, Secretary, Wellington Branch.