Portland Decision Is Expected This Week

Northern Advocate, 12 January 1948, Page 2

Portland Decision Is Expected This Week

WHILE no official information has yet been received at Whangarei, it is expected that the Dominion Waterfront Cmmission will promulgate its decision on the Portland wharf dispute this week.

A further indication that the decision is likely to favour the Whangarei Waterside Workers’ Union has been given in a statement by the secretary of the Federation of Labour (Mr K. Baxter) who said that the federation had not reversed its decision, which was that the work of handling coal and gypsum cargoes was that of members of the watersiders’ union. INTERESTING SITUATION

Readers Write .».

In every newspaper we see advertisements asking motorists to reduce speed, take shorter trips, slop that engine idling, stay PETROL SAVING at home, use less benzine or there will be rationing again. I believe that a lot of motorists are really doing their best to save petrol and. consequently, dollars.

An interesting situation is likely to arise if the steamer Kurow, expected this week, arrives at Portland with a gypsum shipment before the commission’s decision is made known. The Whangarei watersiders intend to advise the Portland management that their labour is available for v/orking the vessel. They will assemble for a labour call and, if no call is made by the Portland management, will lodge a claim for payment for all work done on the vessel. This will be the eighth claim made under these circumstances. DIFFERENCES IN PAY Inquiries made this morning reveal that there is a difference of about 3d per hour in cement workers’ and watersiders’ rates of pay when handling coal or gypsum. Watersiders receive 4/1 per hour, while cement workers get about 3/10 In the event of the commission’s findings being in favour of the watersiders, production costs will increase as a result of higher wages. It has been stated that any increase is likely to be passed on to consumers, subject to Price Tribunal consent. Portland cement workers returned to work this morning after their annual holidays. Three ships, the Kopara, Herekino, and Aranui, arrived for cement shipments. Owing to the shortage of coal, only one kiln of the four available, has been put into production.

I believe, too. that, certain Government departments are making savings, but the average person who sees the waste of petrol by the Railways Department. with its fleet of road service buses, is not encouraged to save. Week after week, road service buses run to dances all over the North, easily engaged by anyone who has sufficient cash no matter what the pretext.

Let the average man follow the morning bus from Whangarei or the afternoon bus from Ohaeawai. and he will see what speed is. I am not blaming the driver, as he has to keep to a timetable, but the time allowed these drivers is too short even for safety, let alone to encourage slower travelling to save dollars. I suggest, by way of constructive criticism, that the bus timetable should be altered, that a speed limit of 35 m.p.h. be enforced, and that buses to dances and specials should be dispensed with, or balloted for by the hirers, with a limit of two a month. If such steps were taken, then the public may become a little more conscious of the fact that dollars are short, and we may all do a little more to heIp.—“DOLLAR BILL. I “All our drivers are aware of the speed restrictions and the department adheres to it. If drivers exceed the speed limit they are committing olfence,” the manager of the NZR Road Services, Whangarei (Mr L. McDonald) said when asked for his comment. "As far as buses to dances are concerned there has been only one dance special during the last two months. Special buses for trips over 50 miles have to be approved by the Transport Licensing Authority,” he continued. “As .regards permissible petrol, the department is rationed each month as are other operators. During December we operated well within the maximum ration.” Commenting on the maximum speed limit, Mr McDonald said that for service cars it was already 35 m.p.h., although another 5 m.p.h. was allowed in certain eventualities. —Ed.. N.A.]