Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1940. WATERSIDE DISPUTE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 March 1940, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1940. WATERSIDE DISPUTE.

yriE loading and unloading of ships is not such easy work as it sometimes appears to onlookers idling on the wharves, or from a ship’s rails, most of the labour being arduous and some of it not without danger. Modern handling appliances have, however, eased the task of the watersiders, and the rates of pay and conditions of employment, generally, especially in New Zealand, compensate to some extent, for any unpleasantness, or risk. The waterside industry should be a happy organisation, yet, in this country, it has become associated with frequent disputes, unnecessary, stoppages of work, and a leisurely way of eon-

ducting operations that adds greatly to costs. So much has this ( go-slow developed, that the Dominion is regarded by ships’ 'captains and others in the mercantile marine, as one of the most unsatisfactory countries with which to do their special business. Criticism of the delays on New Zealand waterfronts, especially at the main ports, is widespread. At a recent meeting of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. AV. H. Kindle said a captain of a vessel had told hiim that cargo which had taken four weeks, to load in New Zealand had been unloaded in London, by men working day and night, in fortyeight hours. Moreover, it is often declared that too many of the watersiders engaged are watching the others, and that an attitude is increasing of not doing any more work than is obligatory. Such tactics are bad enough in days of peace; in war-time, -when speedy despatch of ships is vitally important, dilatoriness becomes a crime, not only against the industry itself, but against national and Empire interests. This fact is realised by the Communists and others whose patriotism is almost non-existent, and waterside disputes are encouraged by these trouble-mon-gers with the object of injuring the war-efforts of the Dominion. This aim is disguised by a claim that regard for the watersiders’ rights alone inspires a policy resulting in the delay of loading and unloading ships, but few outside the industry are deceived. It is rarely difficult to manufacture a grievance, and at Auckland and Wellington, ships have been idled by watersiders refusing to work overtime, —for which they would be well paid,—because there • has been delay in securing a new agreement from the Arbitration Court. Whatever cause the men may have for resentment in this respect, it is not of that extent and urgency, justifying the refusal to work overtime, and the Government is to be commended for taking prompt action to secure adequate labour for the rapid handling of cargoes. The fact that it is a Labour Ministry thus acting is evidence that the watersiders were considered unreasonable, and suspicions are confirmed that the whole affair was part of the Communist plan to disrupt the smooth working at the main ports. The control powers assumed by the Government are drastic, but not more so than the needs of the situation warrant. It is not to be expected that the newly-appoint-ed Controller at Auckland will be arbitrary, unless the Waterside Union members refuse to listen to reason. Their first reception to the Government’s action was hostile, but second thoughts proved wiser. This morning, after a heart-to-heart talk with Mr. Price, who intimated that the port of Auckland would be worked to-morrow, whatever decision the Union made, the men agreed to resume work, tomorrow. All will be relieved at this peaceful end to the dispute, and it is to be hoped that having made their protest, the watersiders will co-operate with the Controller, and work with new energy to confound their critics, and to supply the Empire’s soldiers and civilians with the goods this country is able to supply.