At the Waterfront

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 67, 28 June 1912, Page 14

At the Waterfront

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, N.Z.F.L.

Conference—Cement Question—A Deputation—New Constitution. The N.Z.F.L. Conferonce being concluded, ib is only natural to expect Unit tho workers on tlie waterfront will bo wanting to know what was done. There will bo issued a printed report, together with the N.Z.F.L. balancosheet, at a later date. Somo things I must touch upon, so that the watorsidcrs may see that the reconstruction of the N.Z.F.L. on I.W.W. lines and the Waihi strike were not the only items that claimed the attention of delegates. Tho Transport Department was sitting at the same time, and among the matters it had to deal with wore remits from tho waterside unions, all of which showed a determination to improve tho conditions on the waterfront.^ Let mo say that after the Transport Department had given duo consideration to tho remits and presented their report to the main body, to their credit let it be said, the conference unanimously endorsed the Transport Department's actions, well knowing when they did so that they might at any timo bo called upon to assist tho watereiders to enforce improved conditions. The cement question received its fair share of discussion, and many were the suggestions a3 to how the dust nuisance should be overcome. We had conferences with tho manufacturers, talked of ways and means, witnessed demonstrations, had our little pet schemes exploded, and finally Bottled the question by throwing tho onus of providing a dust-proof bag to suit our roquiromonta upon,the manufacturers. ft now MriAitu for th« wjrtpnlden

to strictly comply with the compact entered into by your delegates, and by doing so I fool sure that you liavo at last settled the dust nuisance. After all, why should not imported casks bo zinc or tin-lined? They aro equally as dusty to handle a3 bags. May 27 saw a deputation from the Transport Department waiting upon the Ministers for Labor and Railways respectively, seeking amendments to and the strict enforcement of the harbor regulations, which in some ports at least are only a farce. The deputation askod that it should be lawful for ships to carry a she-oak net, the length and breadth of the hatch, placed imdernoafch the combing? upon all occasions when taking off or putting on hatches. The design is so simple and the cost so trifling that it makes one wonder why we have to go to the Government, considering the net in question is for tho saving of life- and limb and the protection of the workers. I often wonder why the shipowners have not provided those nets before, but then there aro the profits to bo considered. The deputation also brought up tho question of appointing inspectors — qualified men, whose duty it will bo to go aloft ami soo that the gear, such as shackles, pins, spans, etc., is in good condition and capablo of carrying the weights asked of it. How many times has defective gear cost a life or maimed a man for life. Several instances wore quoted by the deputation. The decision of conference to reconstruct tho F.L. on I.W.W. linos was a very forward move and in tho right direction. Tho need of closer organisation has been a long-felt want in this country, and watersiders will do well to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the now constitution boforo venturing to pa3S an opinion either for or against it. When this has been done, I foel certain that the workers can-/ como to no other conclusion than that the I.JV.W. is the best scientific form tf ittdu«bri»l onymieatioa.