WATERSIDE PROBLEM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 97, 24 March 1939, Page 2

WATERSIDE PROBLEM.

FARAIERS’ CRITICISM.

INEFFICIENCY ALLEGED

Criticism of the recent tactics of the waterside workers was voiced at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, yesterday. The waterside question had been an outstanding one in New Zealand for some time, said Mr J. C. Bolton, who added his personal endorsement to the Takapau branch’s pledge to support any action the Dominion executive might take to alleviate the problem. He related the experiences of a party of Alasterton men who had gone to Wellington last Saturday to load chilled beef, and it was recorded that this inexperienced gang had handled a truckload of meat in a quarter of the time usually taken by a gang of permanent men even before the “go-slow” policy was adopted. Mr Boltor. added that, this being the case, freight contracts which were shortly due for renewal would inevitably cost more. No reliance, he said, could be placed on the undertaking of the watersiders.

Handling eosts at New Zealand ports were the dearest in the world, he said, and there would have to be a “showdown.” Air Bolton added that the Wellington races were held on Friday and Saturday of last week, and stated that he had known of other hold-ups on race days. The Takapau branch’s resolution was endorsed and will be forwarded to Wellington.