WATERSIDE WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23851, 30 December 1940, Page 9

WATERSIDE WORK

MR. WEBB'S APPEAL

QUICK DESPATCH URGED

DELAY REGARDED AS CRIMINAL

"It is too Into now to argue whether work will he carried out on Saturdays or Smidavs." said the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, when discussing yesterday the seriousness of the present shipping position in Auckland. "The paramount need of the moment is for the ships coming to New Zealand to he turned round quickly," he continued. "The whole of the economic life of the Dominion depends upon this. The Government is determined that every ton of produce it is possible to wild* to the Mother Country will be despatched. Any delay on the part of New Zealand can only he regarded as criminal." The Minister said that a committee had been set up consisting of representatives of shipping and freezing companies, the Waterfront Commission and the Railway Department, and its main duty was to arrange for the quick handling and despatch of ships at the various ports of the Dominion, riiis committee had already met and was planning the closest co-ordination between all the interests concerned. It had been decided that refreshments would he provided for men working on ships when they were called on to work extended hours. Everything would be done to expedite the work.

When the Minister's attention was called to the fact that the cool store workers employed by tin; Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company on the Auckland waterfront were' again not working yesterday, he said he understood tliat a special arrangement had been come to regarding this Sunday, and that the same position would not arise again. Mr. Webb said that any slackening would be disastrous, and not only shipping but tin 1 whole of the country's production had to he organised to the point of maximum efficiency. Industry was without the 50.000 men who had joined the fighting services, and that throw all the heavier burden on those who remained behind He sincerely hoped that the new year would bring in a spirit of closer co-operation.