WATERSIDERS’ WAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1940, Page 10

WATERSIDERS’ WAGES

REPLY TO MR. HAMILTON

NO INCREASE IN COSTS;

[FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.];

WELLINGTON, June 12.

“There was no valid reason for the picturesque, and, indeed, extravagant language used by the Leader of the Opposition, as the following explanation will show,” said Mr. R. E. Price, chairman of the Waterfront Control Commission, in an interview to-night. In the first place, Mr. Hamilton stated that the rates are on a peace-time basis for a 40-hour week. The facts were that the waterside workers offered their services from 8 a.m. each morning, Monday to Saturday inclusive, until midnight, and later if necessary. In addition the men had worked on Sundays when requested to do so by the Commission. “In spite ..of 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, apd they have intimated to the Commission that they are prepared to do everything in their power to assist New Zealand’s Avar effort,” he said, commenting on Mr. Hamilton’s comment on the wages increase.

“We can only draw the conclusion that Mr. Hamilton did not study the memorandum to the order before making his statement to the press. Otherwise it would be difficult to understand his remarks-which, at best, could only serve to cause disunity at a time when the efforts of every person in New Zealand should be directed toward creating unity and cooperation. The increase granted was 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 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 assume 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, the Commission has received the co-operation of shipowners, and arrived at an agreement with them by which the work of loading and discharging vessels will, he 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.”

UNION DISCUSSION.

WELLINGTON, June 12.

The new order, issued by the Waterfront Control Commission was included in the business discussed at a stop-work meeting of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union to-day. Two hours from 8 to 10 a.m., is permitted for the monthly stop-work meeting, but to-day the time was extended by the men until a few minutes after 11.30. Engagements for working six ships in port were therefore not made during the morning, work not commencing until 1 p.m.. It was explained in Union quarters that the men were handed copies of the new order as they entered the meeting room, and so had. not previously had the opportunity to study it. The routine business of the Union occupied the full two hours allowed, and more time was therefore taken for an analysis of the new order.

It was stated that watersiders were pretty sore that the new order failed to make a wage increase of two pence per hour in the general rate retrospective. The men took the line that as they had been kept waiting for so long for the new agreement, they were entitled to six months’, or at least three months’ retrospective increase. It was denied that there was any dissatisfaction with the amount of the increase granted in terms of the order. The men, it was emphasised, recognised that 2/10 was the last word that could be expected in a time of war. The only dissatisfaction centred in the question of retrospective pay.

QUESTION IN HOUSE. WELLINGTON, June 12. In the House, this evening, Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (National, Riccarton), in an urgent question to the Prime Minister, asked if the Government’s attention had been drawn to a lengthy stop-work meeting of the Wellington

watersiders to-day, and whether the Government proposed to take-any action in the matter. Mr. Fraser, replying, said his at-

tention had been drawn to the position. He had been advised that the extension of the stop-work meeting was contrary to the order of the Waterfront Control Commission, which substituted the suspended award, and the Union had been requested for an explanation. The Union explained that, in addition to the ordinary monthly business, the order of the Commission had to be discussed, and this was the reason for " the longer period taken. The whole position was being investigated, and would be the subject of a statement by the Minister of Labour later if necessary.