WHARF WORKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24825, 27 January 1942, Page 4

WHARF WORKERS

AN APPEAL BY MR WEBB “SOME NOT PULLING WEIGHT” ASSURANCE BY MEN i (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 26. In a conference with the waterside workers’ executive, the Minister of Labour, Mr P. C. Webb, to-day made a strong appeal for the most complete unity on the waterfuont of Auckland. He said that if the figures which had been supplied to him were true the waterside workers otf Auckland had not complied with the promise which they had made to him on a previous occasion to give greater unity and cooperation. , The men, on the other hand, assured him that there had not. been a hold-up on the waterfront for six months. Many men worked thif clock round in all weathers and on Sundays and holidays, and they never'refused to load or discharge any boat' which came to the wharves. The Minister gave; full marks to those workers who haid responded to the call and worked wiell, and he was sure the great majority of waterside men were playing their full part, but he regretted to think that there were a few who were not pulling their weight. He looked to ’the conference to bring about definite; improvements in that respect and said that unless an improvement was! made other methods would need to Fe employed to facilitate the speediest (turning round of ships. Whilst many worked long hours under trying conditions!, there would appear to be room for a big improvement in the general work* on the waterfront. the Minister concluded.