WATERFRONT LABOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18195, 14 September 1922, Page 4

WATERFRONT LABOUR.

PERMANENT EMPLOYEES. COURT DISCUSSES QUESTION The idea, which has often been put forward, of employing a certain number of permanent workers on the Wellington waterfront was mentioned in the Arbitration Court this week.

Mr. C. M. Turrell, manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, expressed the opinion that tho number of permanent men who could he employed would be very small, and would not make very much difference to the present state of affairs.' There were some men who made themselves permanent in the employ of certain companies by waiting for the work of those companies. Mr.' W. G. Smith, employers' representative : It would tend, to reduce the fringe. Mr. Turrell: I don't know what you mean. Mr. Justice Frazer: That outside mob. The men who are never called upon unless you have a big rush. . . There would always be a fringe, because the permanent gangs could not supply all the labour required. Mr. J. Roberts, union representative, said a permanent scheme would make the fringe more frayed out, and would make ft a more hungry fringe. The employment, of permanent labour would increase tho fringe, and~there would be a greater number of permanent men who did not understand tho work, and, therefore, there would be a constant danger. What had been suggested for Wellington created slums round the London docks, and he was sure the employers here did not want to see that kind of thing in Wellington.