WATERSIDE WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23202, 23 November 1938, Page 15

WATERSIDE WORK

DOMINION CONDITIONS POSITION VIEWED SERIOUSLY ROYAL COMMISSION URGED [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Tuesday A serious view of New Zealand waterfront conditions was taken by speakers at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Importers' Federation today, and unanimous support was accorded an Auckland motion urging the Government to set up a Royal Commission to investigate the position. Mr. H. G. Thompson moved a motion, which referred to the extremely unsatisfactory and worsening state of affairs on the waterfront, culminating in the recent hold-up at Auckland and its serious effects on the interests of importers and the community generally. The motion also referred to the unenviable reputation of Dominion ports in- overseas shipping circles, and the difficulty of investigating reports of undesirable practices in waterfront work as further showing the necessity for a full inquiry by a Royal Commission. Unenviable Reputation Mr. Thompson said he wished to make it quite clear that they were not taking sides regarding the position, They had made investigations at Auckland, but could not get at the root of things or judge where the fault lay. There was, however, no doubt that a very undesirable state of affairs existed at present. Business men from overseas had stated that New Zealand ports had an unenviable reputation from tho point of view of working ships. Investigation had shown that freight rates from the United Kingdom to Australia were more favourable than those to New Zealand, and prominent shipping men had said that the difference was due to the delay in working ships at New Zealand ports. That might not bo altogether due to the slackness of labour; it might be duq in some degree to geographical considerations; but there was no doubt that the unfortunate position of tho Dominion's waterfront influenced the companies in fixing rates. The time had come for the position to be put on a satisfactory and economic footing. Effect on Cost of Goods' The whole question was a most important one to the general community, continued the speaker, as the laridcd cost of goods was affected by unsatisfactory waterfront conditions. One alarming suggestion that had been made was that ships from Sydney were not bringing full cargoes to New Zealand because they could not be discharged in time. The matter should be handled firmly by the Government and a Royal Commission set up to allay the anxiety of the commercial community and the public. Tho motion was seconded by Sir Charles Norwood, whose suggestion that the commission should be empowered to take evidence regarding waterfront conditions outside New Zealand was adopted.