NAPIER HARBOUR

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 10, 4 August 1930, Page 5

NAPIER HARBOUR

CONTROL OF CRANES. Wheri the Waterside Workers' Union asked the Napier Board last week to give employment to its experienced members as driver sof the new electric, cranes, thef- board decided to reject the request as a matter of policy, that all plant and staff should be under its control. ' The Dunedin Waterside Workers' Union wrote stating that men capable of performing the work of driving the new cranes were available, having had practical experience at other ports. The union hoped'that Its members would be given an opportunity of driving the cranes. The engineer (Mr. J. M'G. Wilkie) reported that the Harbours Act stated that all necessary labour should be provided tor cranes by the board. He read the clause to mean that the crane drivers should be servants of the board and, In any case, he considered the drivers should be employees of the board, and that all drivers should be medically examined periodically. The Chairntan (Captain Coll M'Donald): From'my experience of crane drivers I know it is customary for harbour boards to have their own drivers. The engineer'has given consideration of that fact, and '1 personally feel that the board should have control of the cranes and drivers. ,_ . Mr. Larnach said "outsiders" should not be allowed to have anything to do •with the board's property. Mr. T. Scollay thought the request by the union a very reasonable one. Mr. Larnach: Ugh Ugh! Mr. Scollay said the men must be eapable if the union were offering their services. The question of finance also cropped up. The cranes would only be used intermittently, and hei askedif *ork could be provided for the drivers when they were not engaged on the Cr S'Chairman: That will easily be dC Mr W h G Love said the board property" must be looked after by the board s S The board could not allow outers to take control of its machinery. The engineer's report was adopted. " GEEAT ©YURCOAT VALUES -. t£ : ■ AT €AHKYER'S L™