CARGO LEFT BEHIND

Grey River Argus, 30 July 1940, Page 5

CARGO LEFT BEHIND

BY MATSON LINER

Shipping Coy. at Fault [Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 28. Through the refusal of waterside workers to continue loading after o p.m., the Matson liner Monterey eventually sailed on Saturday with part of her cargo still on the wharf, a quantity ot perishable goods was loaned by the company’s staff with the assistance of Auckland Harbour Board employees between 6 p.m. ano 8 p.m. Th e Monterey was bound for San Francisco via Suva. The cargo left behind comprised a number of bags of hides and a quantity of meat casings. When they are likely to oe required after 6 p.m. the shipping company has to inform the men before 10 o’clock the same morning. Wages are then paid up to 10 p.m. whether or not the men are engaged until that time. Mr A. E. Playle, manager for the agents at Auckland, said the position was unsatisfactory in the extreme, particularly when New Zealand needed every dollar of American credit that she could get to help in the purchase of war materials. WATERFRONT COMMISSIONER'S VIEW. AUCKLAND, July 29. The Waterfront Control Commission is investigating the refusal of Auckland waterside wcj;ker s to loucthg Monterey after 6 o’clock, witn the result that cargo .was left behind when she sailed. Appropriate action will' be taken, if necessary. A statement to this effect was made by the Chairman 0T the Commission, Mr. Price, to-day. He said that he was still inquiring into the matter, but it seemed to him, on the facts so far at his disposal. that the men had been messed about, three different orders having apparently been given them during the day. The position was that inshipping company put in an application on Friday night for men to worn extra hour s up to 10 o’clock on Saturday. This application was subject to cancellation by the company o-' fore 10 a.m. on Saturday. At 10 a.rn. on Saturday morning, after the men had commenced work, the company cancelled the order to work after o o’clock, on the assumption that they would finish loading the cargo before that time. About 4.30 they founa that they would be unable to finish some hatches, and the company asked that the men should work to 6 p.m. through their meal hour. This was agreed upon. A further request, however, that they should work beyond that tim c was declined by the men.

Mr. Price said that a few complaints had been received about tne need to apply in advance when men wer e to be required to work extended hours. It was only reasonable, however, that the men should be able to notify their homc-s that the: would not be coming home at trie usual time. The lodging of an application entailed no obligation on the employer to work the extra hours, provided that he cancelled th e order before 10 a.m. Formerly, cancellation could be made until 11 a-m., but recently it was decided that applications must be confirmed or cancelled by 10 o’clock. If an order were confirmed, it became a definite engagement. and in an ordinary engage, ment, unless the weather were wet, wages must be paid for the whole period, whether the men worked full time or not.

WELLINGTON WATERSIDER 3.

OBEY COMMISSION’S ORDERS

WELLINGTON, July 29

When it was intimated last week that the waterside workers did not intend to work a collier lying at Miramar beyond the time customaiy for many years, the Waterfront Control Commission exercised its powers to have work carried out. It is understood that there was no actual refusal to work, but the men did not want to do so. It was intimated if the men did not work, the Commission would take action against them. Extended hours were observed. There are certain difficulties to be overcome ar Miramar, an isolated .wharf, concerning the provision of meals and accommodation for eating them. Arrangements are being made to provide suitable facilities for the men when they are required to work extra time.