WATERFRONT WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23732, 12 August 1940, Page 10

WATERFRONT WORK

Sir, —It does seem A-exatious that delays should .occur in loading our boats for Britain when we know full well the folks in the "old dart" have their backs against tho .wall and are depending for their very existence on a regular supply of food. Wo are as a nation in a state of war and wo are all facing trials and difficulties ns a result. Surely, therefore, it is not too much to ask waterfront workers to forgo a notice given at~lo a.m. enabling them, to work until 10 p.m. Their families would surely know, owing to the uncertain nature of their occupation, that sometimes they would be late, but that at all events they would be quite safe. In a big works np North it is customary to give an hour's notice when overtime has to be worked and the same in other centres. Nobody minds, they are helping their employers and are very pleased to do so. Jn war time surely the wharf labourers could adapt themselves to circumstances and not demand such" a strict adherence to the rules.

Delay in getting a. boat away is a very serious thing now. To avoid this friction and delay, surely tho Harbour Board would be justified in obtaining a list of men who are not' waterfront workers who would be ready to be ( callcd upon in such an emergency to enable a boat to be away in scheduled time. It must bo very difficult at 10 a.m. to decide whether the loading will bo finished at 5 o'clock or later. Worker.