WATERSIDE WORKERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 April 1930, Page 6

WATERSIDE WORKERS

RECENT CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSED BY HARBOUR BOARD Recent correspondence in the columns of I lie “Mail” regarding I lie employment of waterside labour was referred to at the meeting of the Nelson Harbour Board yesterday afternoon. Air Gould, who introduced the matter, said that as a rule lie did not take notice of. anonymous correspondence, but lie wanted to deal with tho suggestion that the Board was discriminating against married men. lie bad made private inquiries and lie could not find any evidence bearing out such a suggestion. There were men who, as a consequence of approaching old age hud unfortunately to step down—it was a pathetic circumstance bill the Board had no control over it. Those men. did not realise that they could not stand up to the work, ami those responsible ior the engagement. of labour were compelled to put on men more able to do so. If there were genuine cases, and there might be, it was up to (hem to come to one Boil'd and place the matter before it when they would bo fairly dealt with. A few years ago the wharfinger was instructed to give preference to those men who bad stood loyally to the Board for a long period and had done their work satisfactorily. The chairman (Air 11. It. Duncan), said he had spoken to tho wharfinger about tho matter! The position was that the Board always had a certain staff working and these were given preference. Some men came down only when overseas vessels were in port and expected to have preference over the ethers who were always available. The Board was not responsible for all tho employment on the wharves. Air Kelly said men who were in quite pood financial positions went down to the wharves only when an overseas boat was in and caused friction. Manv men were engaged by shipping companies as tallv clerks, etc.

The chairman remarked that casuals were not so efficient as the regular employees, and the wharfinger had to lake this into consideration. f