HIGH COSTS ON WATERFRONT

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 8

HIGH COSTS ON WATERFRONT

FARMERS’ INTEREST IN DISPUTES PRESENCE AT HEARINGS SOUGHT (United Press Association) GISBORNE, March 31. A request to the Government that the farming industry be represented at conferences concerning waterside disputes was made at the annual meeting of the Poverty Bay and East Coast Sheep Owners’ Union when it pointed out that the farming community had to face the increased cost of waterside workers’ demands and therefore should have a voice in what they should be paid. Mr L. H. Mac Lean considered that the reform was overdue. Shipping companies did not fight proposals for wage increases sufficiently, he contended, for the companies knew that they could pass them on using the increased costs as a lever in exacting more profits for themselves. The president (Mr C. H. Williams): And when they do have a row they look to the farmers to go down and shift the stuff. ■ Mr J. C. Graham said that the present Government had to be impressed with the fact that before its members got into power they did all they, could to make the horse jib. It was difficult now to make the horse stop jibbing. Mr Williams asked if the industry had any legal riieans for recovering losses. The secretary said that they could not sue the unions, but could sue individual members. Mr Williams suggested that even if they sued individual members and only got a small proportion back it would draw more attention to the position.

“Why should we not do it?” Mr Williams asked. “They take money out of our pockets and why should we not try to get something back?” ‘