A LOST CONCESSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 10

A LOST CONCESSION.

CARGO TO NEW PLYMOUTH. PENALTY CHARGE REIMPOSED. DELAYS IN WORKING SHIPS. [B7 TBLIGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT ] NEW PLYMOUTH. Friday. The concession of the main port rates recently granted to New Plymouth for diroct cargo from Australia, has been withdrawn by the Union Steam Ship Company and in future direct cargo for this port from the Commonwealth will pay main port rates plus 5s a ton, the old rate. The penalty charge has been reimposed owing to the delays incurred by shipping in working the port of New Plymouth. While a good deal of the delay to shipping is due to inadequate berthage accommodation the rate at which Cargo is being handled at the wharf is also said to bo a big contributing cause. It is stated that a " go slow " policy has been in force for some weeks and that the loading and discharging of vessels is taking much longer than usual. As instances, it is stated that the Pinna's cargo of case oil was discharged at only about two-thirds of the usual rate, while instead of the three gangs working the Gallic loading thq usual 90 trucks of meat a day, only about 60 trucks are going on board. The average rate of loading is said to be much below that figure. Further instances of,pin-pricking tactics are freely quoted. Overtime is worked on the wharf on five nights of the week and on Saturday afternoons, but yesterday the men on the Gallic evinced no desire for the extra pay, for the agents were advised by the men individually that they did not intend to work overtime last night. Owing to the weather it is doubtful whether work could have been carried on, but had the weather been favourable each of the 50 men engaged could have earned 15s for the evening's work of four hours. Even had they turned up and the weather had prohibited work they would have been paid for soma time. It may be mentioned that with a full day and overtime the watersiders can easily earn £1 18s a day. j. ■: