CASE FOR LUMPERS

Evening Star, Issue 23620, 5 July 1940, Page 8

CASE FOR LUMPERS

MUDDLE ON WATERFRONT CHANGE WHEN COMMISSION TAKES CHARGE [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, July 5. “ There was no reason why the vessel should not have been-, able to sail with her full cargo without the men working beyond midnight,” said the president of the Auckland Watersiders’ Union, Mr T. Solomon, to-day, referring to the vessel which- sailed for Britain via southern ports yesterday, leaving part of her cargo on the wharves. He added that during the vessel’s stay the watersiders, had been compelled to unload certain hatches, and reload them again, after transferring cargo to other holds. _ • <”l am certain the position will be altogether different when the commission takes control of the port.” Ho added that the men were not given proper notice of the need for overtime. Referring to the offer telegraphed to the Prime Minister by the National Service Movement, to arrange for men to load ships at Auckland in any emergency, Mr Solomon said; “ I might point out that there are on the waterfront men just’as patriotic as in that organisation, who are prepared to assist the Empire to the utmost. Jf tho public only knew of the muddle that exists on the waterfront on the part of the employers, they would realise that the blame does not lie with the watersiders. ” Other watersiders said there seemed to be a definite move afoot to introduce the principle of night work in spite of tho fact that a definite promise had “been received that the principle would not he established.