CO-OP. CONTRACTING

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1944, Page 4

CO-OP. CONTRACTING

WATERSIDERS’ INSURANCE POSITION. P.A. WELLINGTON, May H- - In a reply to a by the Chief Justice in Court yesterday, in connection with a worker’s compensation claim, the Waterfront Control Commission says it considers Sir M. Myers remarks were apparently made without a full knowledge of the circumstances. Non-representation of the Commission at the Court was not due to negligence, or to any wish to ■avoid legal responsibility, There is doubt as to who is tEd true employer of the waterside workers engaged under the co-operative contracting system. Interested parties have for some time been negotiating with a view to clarifying the legal issues. It is expected that finalitv will be reached in the near future, when a full statement of the position will be made. At the express wish of the Shipping companies, the Commission had not disturbed (he existing arrangements, whereby the conipanies accepted the full responsibility for workers’ compensation, insurance and Common law claims,, and the Commission has obtained letters of indemnity, ■which include the following provision: “That all claims shall be dealt with by the company, or its nominee, who shall be entitled to take control of all proceedings arising out of any such claim; and for that purpose, to use the name of the Commission )n defending aim such proceedings, and in enforcing any judgment upon such proceedings, or pursuing any claim for indemnity against other persons' Consequently the Commission KfflStfh ered it not to be its responsibility to appear at Court.