STATE OF THE HARBOR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16122, 10 May 1923, Page 6

STATE OF THE HARBOR.

WATERSIDERS REFUSE TO WORK

AFTER 5 P.M

HITCH IN LOADING THE COUTHN(J

TON

The P.B, Farmers ileal Co. had four barge loads of meat down at the wharf in railway trucks to-day in readiness to be taken out to the s.s. Admiral Codringtan in the bay. The secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union, Mr. H. McErlain, was asked if the men would go on working to-night until they had finished all the meat. This would be equivalent to a small day's work, and in addition the men would be paid waiting time. The ' watersiders' secretary inlormed the Meat Co.'s representatives that a meeting of the men would be held to discuss the matter.

The meeting of the watersiders was held at 1 o'clock this afternoon, and the discussion lasted half an hour.' The secretary then (old the company'* representatives I hat while the harbor was in its present slate, the men would not work after 5 p.m. each day. ; Representations then made by Mr. W. 1). Lysnar, M'.P., managing director of the P.B. Farmers' Meat Co., Captain Holmes, and Messrs. A. Puflett and W. Benuchamp, to the secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union. Mr. Lysnnr asked that if two barges of meat, were sent out would the men empty them? If the men assented to this another barge would be loaded and | dispatched. J Mr. McEiiain stated that the men J required io come in before dark, and in his opinion there was time to do the two barges, but the employers' representatives did not think so. They considered it could not be done. Mr. McErlain added that the men had taken this course, so as to enter a protest against the harbor conditions. They wanted something done for speedy relief. That, was their object, in refusing to work.

Mr. Lysnar stated that seeing none of the parties'concerned had anything to do with what the Harbor Hoard did, it was a very unreasonable attitude for the Waterside Union to take up, which only aggravated the position and stopped the men whom, he felt sure, needed and wanted tho work, from working. The secretary replied that the decision was the unnaimous decision of a meeting of 200 watersiders. As tho secretary would not give an assurance of completely discharging the second barge, tho meat was not neing loaded. Very probably the meat will have to be returned to the works for re-conditioning, as it lias already been on the wharf sinco yesterday morning. This was pointed out to the watersiders secretary, who replied that he did not mind that, as that was no concern oi theirs. The men wanted to bring pressure on the Harbor Board.

To this Mr. Lysnad pointed 1 out that those interestedi had 1 nothing to do with

the Harbor Bocircf, and that it was not right for the Union, as a body, to use this to make tho matters of tt.e port worse than they were. In their attitude the Union was doing a wrong to the men who wanted to work.

Mr. McEnain replied' they thought it the best way tq bring pressure on th« Harbor Board. At the same* time he saidl it was not safe for the men to be out after 5 p.m. It was pointed out to

tlit< secretary that that was no argument at this juncture as there was absolutely no wind I 'or sea. The bay was as calm as a mill-pond. The question arose as to whether the action of the men did' not make a breach of the award 1 .

Capt. Holmes asked for a meeting o the Disputes Committee as three of their members of the committee were present.

Mr. McErlain replied that two of their

members' ot r i the Disputes Committee were out in the bay, and' the committee therefore could not meet until they came back. In response to a further question, he said' that they could' not provide substitutes for the absent members of the Disputes Committee. It had been intended to work the other boats in the bay this) afternoon. However, through the' men's attitude it

was not considered' advisable to start work on tJio- general cargo. Had' the men carried! out the wish of the' Poverty Hay Meati Co., to load the four barges of meat inloi tho s.s. Admiral Cordington it would have neon possible to lwivo done two on the present tide*, the mem on thei vessel then to wait .out for five or six hours until the second two lighters cnniei out. The men, 100, would' have been paid full waiting time, while not working, andl would hove finished 1 about one o'clock to-morrow morning. They would' have been /iblo to come in at full tide, without any risk, whereas it was

impossible tc« pot the men in safely if they knocked off at 5 p.m. ius it was nearly low water. By the action of the men they were taking'a grave risk to got in then, whereas ni a later timet there would be no risk at all. As a barge would l lie unable to get out before 10 or 11 o'clock tomorrow morning- the men would have h-ad plenty of time for rest. Through tho action of the men in refusing to work after 5 p.m. the whole of the work of the port was held up—live boats, with the Arahura. Mr. Boauchamp (Union Company) lias wired to his Head Office to see if lie shall send the VVanaka, with produce, on to Auckland. The Arahura also'oveivarries the whole of liec oargo to Napier, including two liorsew. j As .an extra precaution tor the lighters having' to wait out for a longer period than usual, owing to the silted harbor conditions, nod an unusual number of lighters being out at the one time, it. was arranged that the Tuatca and the Hipi, in addition to the G,S.F,M, and M, Co.'s tugs nndl Harbor Board! launch would keep outside' in attendance flaring the low water period. The matter of the lighters remaining out aver the lowwater period has been the practice of the port. As showing the •effect of the men's decision it will practically reduce (be working period to four hours' pev day. Tomorrow the smaller barges could" no! leave the wharf before 10 or 11 a.m., at the earliest, and if they have to l.e in by five it would mean that the men w'ould have) to stop work at 4 p.m. so as to get over . the bar while there is sufficient water. Taking reductions for travelling time, half an hour each way and one hour for a meal, it leaves four hours work in the bay. By the attitude of the men it -would make it impossible to carry on tho work of tho port. While if- will not onlv hamper the work of tho port jt will seriously restrict the men'p earning power, consequently injuring themselves and families, «p wall as the district and the port as n whole. The secretary of the Employers' Association is taking tho necessary steps to eall a Disputes Committee meeting.