KING'S WHARF MEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 13

KING'S WHARF MEN

UNCONCERNED DEMEANOUR NO SUGGESTION OF MILITANCY The demeanour of the men at the King's Wharf works, whero most of the dairy produce is usually stored, lacks any suggestion of militancy. If they gaze at visitors to the office of the works they gaze incuriously. Lorries have drawn in at the wharf works and no objection came from the men. One dairy factory sent in its supplies through a cartage contractor, whoso men put it on to the platform of the works, where the permanent staff dealt with it. A similar thing occurred at Southdown, though at these works there was a slight "breeze" over the loading-up of ice for the fish industry. That the men at the King's Wharf works do not appear concerned at the restricted efforts of the company to cope with the situation is ascribed to their confidence that the union will carry the day. So far as these works are concerned, the men have not lodged objection to anything; not even to the hardness of their beds, for which they would have every excuse. For there appear to be no mattresses or hammocks on the premises where they have elected to sleep, though a few cushions are in evidence. They huddle at night round the lift-well, on the steps and floors. Tables-tare sought after as couches, and, failing a table, a wooden form is supposed to possess advantages for peaceful repose that are not very apparent. "For heaven's sake don't sleep on the concrete," one executive of tiie company solicitously advised some of the men, for what, on some occasions does a mere difference in economics matter!-' No one apparently sleeps on concrete; that is, not very much. In their common room the men have an urn, in which they can boil water for tea or other purposes, but meals are obtained from outside, generally coming into the works in small paper parcels. Pies pear to be a staple item of diet. Few women appear near the scene in the evening to wish their menfolk goodnight, but perhaps most of the men prefer their wives or sweethearts to stav away.