The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, January 23, 1943. STATUS OF WATERSIDERS.

Grey River Argus, 23 January 1943, Page 4

The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, January 23, 1943. STATUS OF WATERSIDERS.

The entire operation of the Greymouth waterfront under the system of ’contracting, while it means greater responsibility for the workers engaged- niiarks at

the same time an improvement in their status. The loading of timber already has successfully been brought under this system, which is from to-day being extended to all other cargo being handled at the port. While it doubtless has been accelerated by i the exigencies of war. especially the necessity of turning ships around with the utmost speed, 'and the limitations of labour supply, the advent of a greater degree of co-operative practice in this industry had for some time appeared in the light of a prudent innovation. It is calculated much more than the previous custom to co-ordinate the activities of the workers, who have .now some tangible premium placed on the objective of savingtime. There has in some places been question as to their rates of remuneration, hut it is generally recognised that their work is arduous, and on the whole well worth every penny paid for it. The very casual character of .waterside labour used formerly to militate against efficiency, and the first step towards an improvement was doubtless the regulation of Union membership numerically. A couple of years ago the co-operative system, under direction of the Waterfront Commission, was a further step towards stability, and by proof of actual trihl. gradually commended itself to the workers at the main ports- Though the Commission itself has occasionally come under criticism no less than the workers, the fact that the system continues to- be extended is itself the best demonstration that the men in the industry are fully capable to bearing greater responsibility, and are reiadj r generally to respond intelligently and energetically to the requirements of the industry when they are given the opportunity freely to do so. No little credit, however, is due to the Commission, and in particular to. Mr. James Roberts, whose experience and judgment have contributed markedly to the successful operation of the system. Shipowners and workers .' like are agreed that it gives better results than were obtainable, when the workers lacked any inducement towards co-operation. I Payment by results is a feature I which, while it may mean imIproved remuneration, entails upon the -workers an obligation to eliminate factors of delay which can only be eliminated by a comparatively high degree of cooperation. It evidently is not of the type attainable by any other means than the. workers’ own initiative- for the exercise.. oi which, apart from mere physical I exertion, there needs to be u 'reasonable inducement.-The Com- • mission, determines the rates on !measurable basis, but co-operation I is a factor that is not measurable iin any material sense. It is determinable only by results, and .it jis results at which the system is j directed, and which it is serving lin actual practice to attain. One consequence, as experience is gained, must be that the character lif waterside work will increase m skill, as gains in time and saving in labour’will depend entirely on the operatives themselves, and to the extent that these are worth while, they will be increased as opportunity offers. It is a soUIK principle that those who actually do the work should have the maximum, possible degree ol initiative and control oyer then own activity. Therefore, the advantage derived by the count iy from more expeditious transport as a result co-operative ■ contracting- will, coincide with an advantage for the workers in the shape of greater freedom and greater scope for improving their own conditions. This is in itscl. one of the goials of industrm unionism, and viewed in this light, no less than in that .ol meeting Ihe present emergencies, the new departure is one which should prove lasting, if not also Jstep to further responsibility being- under!aken by the workers.