WATERSIDE WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22714, 28 April 1937, Page 12

WATERSIDE WORK

ALLOCATION SYSTEM BUREAUX TO BE FORMED RADICAL CHANGE INVOLVED [BY TELEGRAPH OWN" correspondent]] WEL LING TON, Tuesday A complete alteration in the present methods of engaging waterfront labour at "Wellington and Auckland is to be made shortly by the adoption of the registration or bureau system. The new Dominion Waterside Workers' Agreement, made in January, gives the National Disputes Committee power to establish at the four main ports of the Dominion the registration. or bureau, system, with provision that all men in a bureau who have complied with the conditions are guaranteed work each week to the value of not less than £2 10s. The committee, it was learned today, has authorised the establishment of bureaux at Auckland and Wellington, and preliminary arrangements are now being made. Preparation for the change is further advanced at Wellington than at Auckland, having reached a stage at which applications can be invited for the position of manager of the Wellington bureau. A manager will also be required at Auckland. Tho system, it is stated, calls for a capable organiser, preferably a master mariner experienced in handling and controlling large bodies of men in connection with waterside work. Commenting this afternoon on tho decision to introduce the bureau system on the Wellington waterfront Mr. W. Bennett, manager of the Wellington Waterside■ Labour Employers' Associated, stated that it would alter the method of engaging labour altogether, and it was hoped that conditions would be improved as a result. It is probable that the change will take effect at Wellington in about six weeks' time. After the recent Dominion ajzreement had been negotiated it was stated that under the bureau system the men would not be chosen for particular work by the stevedores, but by the bureau, the committee of which would include representatives of both the stevedores and the union. Men would be sent to work for which they were host suited, and an endeavour would be made to average out the work to the satisfaction of both parties, reducing its casual nature as far as possible by a fair allocation of what was offering.