"DUMPING" SYSTEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23997, 21 June 1941, Page 12

"DUMPING" SYSTEM

SPEEDIER WOEK PLAN

PROPOSAL FOR AUCKLAND

REJECTED BY THE MEN A refusal to discharge cargo by tho "dumping" system-—a system of lowering large quantities of freight on to the wharves in nets in eases where the stevedores considered it would be quicker than by working with t he usual slings, was made by the workers at the last monthly stop-work meeting of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union. A recent conference of interested bodies asked that the ''dumping" system be instituted at. .Auckland, but when the proposal was conveyed to the men by the president of the union, Mr. T. H. Solomon, if was rejected. Auckland stevedores said yesterday that they believed the discharge of cargo could be expedited by the "dumping" system. Oil drums, for instance, were at. present being discharged in slings at the rate oi live a time. With a net it would bo possible to "dump" 12 or more oil drums at a time on the wharf, to be wheeled away bv several men. It would be worth while employing more men at the ships' sides to wheel awav the cargo if it meant that the ship would be discharged more quickly. It. is stated in the award that two men with a truck may be requested to take, up to 12cwt. of cargo at a time. Congestion on tho wharves by more cargo coming out of the holds than could be immediately dealt with, the extra handling of cargo, the doubt il sufficient or large enough nets were available, and the cost of extra labour, were objections to the "dumping" system expressed yesterday. The matter will bo referred to the Waterfront ("out nil ('ommissioii.