SPEED OF WORK ON WHARVES

Southland Times, Issue 23388, 21 December 1937, Page 6

SPEED OF WORK ON WHARVES

Watersiders “Taking Their Time” NEW ZEALAND COMPARED WITH AUSTRALIA (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 20 The feeling of uncertainty caused by the Sino-Japanese conflict and the civil war in Spain was having an upsetting effect on trade, but nevertheless shipping freights were all up and he was told there was a good deal of cargo offering, said Mr H. Shaw Savill, who, with Mrs Savill, arrived in Wellington today by the liner Straithaird.

“The trouble at your end is the labour question,” Mr Savill continued. “In Australia they seemed to be getting the work done satisfactorily on the waterfront, but when we got to Auckland it was apparent they were taking their time.” Mr Savill predicted that New Zealand would not have a Labour Government much longer. “How can the farmer carry on?” he asked. “The price of wool would need to go up much more to compensate for the increased costs caused by the 40-hour week and shorter hours.” Mr Savill said that ship building was fairly active in Britain, but many were waiting for the high costs to come down and it was no use building ships unless it was possible to get guarantee of a certain freight rate for at least five years. Once the present international uncertainty was removed, however, business would go ahead. England was fully alive to the world situation and was ready for any emergency now, Mr Savill said. The re-

armament programme was progressing rapidly. Mr Savill, who was last in New Zealand eight years ago and likes the country, intends to remain for three months . He will visit his brother, Mr F. J. Savill, of Hanmer Springs, and will spend a good deal of time fishing.