WHARF WORK

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1939, Page 6

WHARF WORK

CONFERENCE OPENS

(Per Press Association —Copyright).

WELLINGTON, March 9. The conference called by Hon. P. C. Webb, concerning conditions of waterfront work opened with a large attendance from all over the Dominion. It was addressed by Mr Webb who presided. Also present were the Minister for Finance (Hon. W. Nash), the Minister for Trarisport (Hon. It. Semple), and Minister for Housing (Hon. H. T. Armstrong). All of the Ministers referred to the Gbvrnmcut’s concern at the existing situation, and to its desire to see an improved state of affairs. Mr Webb said that, it things were to continue as they were at present, the waterfront would be held up as the laughing stock of New Zealand, if not, also of other parts of the world. Mr Nash said that the whole economy, of the Dominion had been very adversely affected by actions on the waterfront. After the Ministers’ addresses, there was a general discussion. The conference finished during the afternoon. It's work, however, will be carried on by a Targe Committee. In an . interview at the conclusion of ,the conference, Hon. Mr Webb said that there had been a free and open discussion' from all angles. The general consensus of opinion was something had to- be done to improve the present situation. A general eagerness on the part of all parties to the conference to get something worth while done was very evident. After a general .all-round discussion. It was decided to appoint a special committee from both the employers and the workers to meet again to-morrow.'str as t<formulate proposals to cope with the present situation.

It was generally understood, he said, that, if any proposals of a far reaching nature were suggested, both sides would be given the opportunity to confer with their respective organisa-

tions.. , At the request of the conierenco. Mr Webb has oousented to act as Chairman of the Committee. The employers’ representatives on the Committee are Messrs Warwick Gregory, G. G. McFarlane, A. A. Sinclair, R. J. Foreman, M. P, Congdon, J. H. Duncan. W. H. Bennett Parsons, Captain R. C. Hammond; Cap tain S.Holih, Captain T. H. Bowling, and Captain A. J. L. Naylor. The representatives of the workers on the Committee will be the’Executive of the Waterside Workers’ Organise tion. The conference*was not open to the press. Statements’ were subsequently issued by the Ministers.

Horn P. C. Webb, Minister of La hour, in his address to the waterfront ‘conference to-day, said : “All kinds o! assertions have been made: One is to the effeet that the plant on our waterfronts is not what it could be. Several statements have been made that the stevedoring is not what it- ought to be. Other statements have been made to the effect that cargo shipped hom the Old Country has got to be unloaded in Auckland—just taking one instance —in order to unload Auckland cargo, and then reloading again In Auckland in order to discharge in Wellington, and that must, of course, undoubtedly add to the cost. “Then, from the point of view of labour, it- has been asserted that there is not the co-ordination or the co-op-eration that we have the right to expect ; that the efficient handling of much of our cargo is not to be had: and tlidt,' in many . cases, a certain number of men deliberately refuse tc work, and to pull their weight at all. “How much truth there is in all. these statements, Jj guess you men know here; but this we know, that, if things are to continue the way they are, the waterfront will be held up as the laughing stock of New Zealand, if not also of other parts of the world.

“I don’t want to start throwing bricks into the wheel, but I do want to, say this: That .any repetition of the happening of yesterday and of other things must reflect discredit upon the whole organisation of the waterfront. And it matters not for the moment just who is to blame — the fact remains .that a situation like that of yesterday should not, under any circumstances, crop up. The Minister of Finance, Hon. W. Nash, said that he would like to say that the Dominipn was the vital factor concerned, not exclusively the waterside workers and the shipping companies. “It is a Dominion. factor,” he said, “because the whole economy ! of the Dominion has been very adversely affected by actions on the waterfront—whether right or wrong, I am not concerned with, because I don’t know anything about it.” Mr Semple expressed the view that the co-operative system was the practical remedy, sajtl that there would be no need for the companies to relax their management in any -shape or form. He remarked the companies could still have the right to supervise and to see that everything was done to a hard and fast agreement, that could be drafted to do the job. Mr Semple said that he commended to the conference the principle of co-operation*— not piece work, or competitive piece work. That led to sweating. There was a lot of difference between the piecework system and the properly organised co-operative system.

A DISPUTE ENDED.

WELLINGTON, March 9

' Work was resumed by the Waterside Workers on the Anchor Company’s ferry steamer “Matangi,” today, Because of an accumulation ol

cargo, the ship was late in sailing. Instead of leaving Wellington for Nelson at 7.30 p.m., her usual time, she did not sail till 10.5 p.m/ The watbrsiders had stopped work on Tuesday morning when unloading the Matangi because of the dispute, and did riot work on the Arabura on Wednesday.