HANDLING OF CARGO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 31 December 1938, Page 9

HANDLING OF CARGO

ENQUIRY INTO COSTS i PROMISED BY MINISTER OF LABOUR NATIONAL INVESTIGATION I United Ftess AsHoeiat inn. AUCKLAND, 30th December I An early inquiry into the costs of handling cargo on the waterfronts of New Zealand was promised iby the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, in an interview to-night. The investi- ! gation will be of a national nature. "The question of handling cargo jon the waterfronts of New Zealand has been a matter of national interest for a considerable time,” the Minister said. “Waterside workers have been acused of deliberately going slow, thus adding enormously to the cost of loading and unloading. On the other hand, it is claimed that the form of the organisation associated with stevedoring and the method of manning many of the ships have been largely responsible for the delays and high costs and much of the discontent prevailing.

“However, it is my intention early in the New Year to confer with all the interested parties in the hope of ascertaining the real cause.

"It is quite obvious that the costs of loading and unloading cargoes must be kept down to a level consistent with reasonable pay and reasonable working conditions,” Mr Webb continued, “for every increase in costs has its reflex in commodity prices. It is also clear that some change is overdue and, whoever is to blame, the sooner that blame is rightly apportioned the better it will be for the country.

“Till such time as this matter has been thoroughly and sympathetically investigated, suspicion rests upon the shoulders of the waterside workers for not playing the game, whereas an investigation may prove that the appliances used and methods of stevedoring may be largely to blame. If this is so the sooner the situations is faced the better it will be for all concerned.

“I am confident that the good sense of the bulk of the waterside workers will be 100 per cent against any loafing on the job. Loafers in e any walk of life live parasitically upon the rest of their fellow beings. Loafers never built up unions, and loafing can never maintain them. I am certain that these sentiments express the feelings of the waterside workers as a whole. I think it unfair to have them singled out and blamed if it cannot be proved that the blame is traceable to them.

“However, it is my job as Minister cf Labour to ascertain why the cost of loading and unloading ships trading with this country is so high compared with Australia and other comparable countries. If some of the men are to blame, then the sooner they are brought to book the better. I am bitterly opposed to the introduction or advocacy of any form of sweating, but I do claim that when conditions are made reasonably good we have the right to expect a similar response from those enjoying the privileges that have taken the unions so long to obtain.

“Regarding the appliances in use, the times demand the best form of organisation and as far as stevedoring is concerned that wants to be of the best also. I believe that if all the parties concerned will get together with unbiased minds and determined to evolve a practical system that will enable our produce to be handled as expeditiously and efficiently as is humanly possible, the present difficulties will disappear. “The same principle applies to many of our factories which are unfortunately using antiquated plant to compete with most modern organisation and efficient machinery in other parts of the world,” Mr Webb said “While some of our industries undoubtedly possess some of the most modern machinery and equipment, it cannot be gainstaid that a great improvement can be made in many others. I am confident that the Government would cooperate with industries so suffernig to enable them to provide better equipment in order to reduce the general costs of production.”