WORK AT PORTS

Southland Times, Issue 17698, 9 July 1914, Page 3

WORK AT PORTS

i THE QUESTION OP LABOUR. AfCKLAN'II lIARROCR BOARDS RESOLUTIONS. ! (Per Pnitcd Press Association.) A ITKLA X I.), .Inly S. 1 Tlie Auckland I I arbour Board to-day i diseussc-d a proposal chat harbour boards | should take over the control of handling cargo and the employment of waterside labour, and adopted the following resolutions— Thai u the event of any change by legislative enactment in the existing eottdilions being deemed desirable this Board e.-nlirms and approves of the principle of harbour boards being constituted tlie sole controlling authority, as affirmed in the first resolution of the conference of harbour board delegates held in Wellington on January 2o lasi. i2) That in the opinion of this Board any arrangement vilii '.hipping companies or stevedores to control the labour of the respect e ports which may be cute 'd into, as suggested in the 1 second resolution of the conference, would he unsatisfactory as it would involve a dual administration, which would be impractical. le. (Noli—lf harbour boards have the responsibility they should have absolute control). Cl) Thai as present conditions are to be altered and a permanent staff engaged such should lie entirely i ontrol led by harbour boards. Tins board is. however, of the opinion in rolaC-n to stevedoring work that the shipping companies must continue to control that absolut* ly. but that just as harbour hoards might control all the wharf labour with, '.ho permanent staff so shipping compa n ics might continue in control of the stevedoring, hut. also with a permanent staff, which at present docs not exist. Cl) Any amending legislation, therefore, should he permissive and extend to ..arbour boards optional powers to dea; with questions involved in the manner best suited to the requirements of each port.