Webb Expects Better Spirit On Auckland Wharves

Northern Advocate, 7 October 1941, Page 7

Webb Expects Better Spirit On Auckland Wharves

[Special to ‘‘Northern Advocate”! AUCKLAND, This Day. The Minister for Labour (Mr Webb), in a statement last night, following conferences between the Waterfront Control Commission, the executive ot the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union and himself, said that the contract system was discussed very fully, and it was generally agreed that the system, if extended, to almost all classes of waterfront work, would be a definite improvement. He said it was evident that the previous lack of co-operation between the commission and the union no longer existed. • The contract system was relinquished by the Auckland union in August after a letter had been received from the commission complaining of the slow handling of cargo. Friendly Relations Mr Webb conferred with the union executive yesterday morning. At the conference in the afternoon there were present, in addition to the Minister and the union executive, the chairman of the Waterfront Commission (Mr R. E. Price) and a member of the commission (Mr J. Roberts). j The national council president of the j New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union (Mr J. Flood) and a member] of the national executive (Mr E. j Napier) were also present at the conference. An excellent spirit was shown by the union executive, which expressed a keen desire to establish most friendly relations between themselves and the commission, said Mr Webb. He added that a unanimous expression of good-will and co-operation was made at the afternoon conference, and as a result there would be a better feeling on the waterfront which would be reflected throughout the country. The union executive is meeting the commission this morning to go into the details of the discussion.