WATERSIDE WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23620, 2 April 1940, Page 8

WATERSIDE WORK

THEEE COMMISSIONERS FULLEST AUTHORITY EARLY DECISION EXPECTED [DV TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Monday The future control of the waterfront at all New Zealand ports will ho decided soon. A proposal has been made by tho Waterside Workers' Union, but it has not been considered yet by the Government, that its branches should take charge of all cargo handling and stevedoring. This proposal by the men comes as a surprise following the Government's decision to show its determination to operate the War Emergency Regulations by appointing a commissioner, Mr. J?. E. Price, to take control of the Auckland wharves, where long-standing grievances came to a head some weeks ago. Another step iti tho attempt to solve the problem of the efficient discharge and despatch of ships promises to be made next week; when powers to introduce methods to ensure satisfactory waterside work will be vested in three commissioners. Their names will not be announced until next week, when their duties will also be defined. These, it is believed, will embrace tho fullest authority to introduce any scheme considered advisable by the commissioners to give smooth working of ports. The Waterside Workers' Union proposal that its members, working on a co-operative basis, should be given charge, will then be considered by the commissioners. If their representations are acted upon, companies now engaged in the stevedoring business will be seriously a hefted. Conferences of representatives of waterside unions have been held in Wellington recently, and, although their proposals have been formulated, they have not been submitted for an opinion to tho Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, who will appoint the waterside control commission.