WATERFRONT LABOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21186, 5 November 1938, Page 7

WATERFRONT LABOUR

Unsatisfactory Conditions Policy of Drift By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 4. The setting up of a Royal Commission with power to secure evidence compulsorarily from all parties concerned was urged in a remit dealing with waterfront labour, which was placed before the annual conference of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of New Zealand by Mr J. A. C. Allum on behalf of the Auckland Chamber. The remit also stated that the conference viewed with dismay the policy of drift which obtained in connection with unsatisfactory conditions on the waterfront. “Recently,” said Mr Allum, “the Auckland Chamber has had occasion to investigate numerous complaints of over-carriage of urgently-needed goods on through steamers at Auckland and of the failure of vessels on a tight schedule to accept goods for Auckland for fear of inability to unload in the time available. By some the waterside workers are blamed for the existing conditions, and these workers retort with the claim that inadequate equipment and inefficiency on the part of employers are the causes. The Auckland Chamber is not in possession of the evidence necessary to enable judgment to be formed, and it is hard to get information because would-be informants are afraid of victimisation.” The remit was carried unanimously. “This conference deplores the growth of the practice of Government Departments securing supplies through the High Commissioner, and urges a policy whereby the Government supplies should be bought from local traders or agents to whom the Government must look for its taxation revenue,” was a remit referred to the executive with power to act. “That this conference is of the opinion that in certain circumstances there is justification for the payment of goodwill on Crown leases, and urges that a conference* of the Under-Secretary of Lands, District Crown Lands Commissioners, representatives of stock agents and principal farmers’ organisations be held so that the existing Government policy in this respect can be revived,” was another remit carried.