SLOW LOADING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22288, 25 March 1947, Page 6

SLOW LOADING

WORKERS ATTACKED

“N.Z. BEING SPOILED”

DELAY IN FOOD CARGOES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Maarch 24. Trenchant comment on the attitude of Auckland waterside workers to work was expressed by the master of the Peninsular and Oriental Line's 11,000-ton motor-ship Palana. Captain H. S. Allan, before the vessel left Auckland yesterday morning. She was heavily laden with produce for London and Hull .

Captain Allan, who is making his first round voyage from Britain since ending wartime service with the Navy, said he had been struck by the change in the attitude of the men to work since before the war. “I think New Zealand is a very fine country being spoiled by the slackness of its workers.” stated Captain Allan, “although all the people are obviously in sympathy with the need to send foodstuffs to Britain. “It is about time that the waterside workers took a more realistic view. By doing more work they would speed tiie turn-round of ships and, in the aggregate. would increase the amount of food reaching the United Kingdom.” The Palana’s master stated that it now took five months to complete a turnround from Britain to Australia or New Zealand. Before the war. when more ports were visited, the same round voyage could be completed in 14 weeks. His ship left Britain on December 1. discharged in Australia, and after spending a month loading at Auckland, would not arrive back until towards the end of April.