VOLUNTEER LABOUR CLEARING PORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18576, 26 September 1928, Page 4

VOLUNTEER LABOUR CLEARING PORTS.

WATERSIDERS BEING OUTCLASSED ON WHARVES. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, September 25. A statement made to-day by the shipowners says:—“Not only is volunteer labour replacing the strikers on the wharves, but it is outclassing them. The object lesson of 1917 is being re pea ted on the Australian waterfront. Volunteers in ever-increasing numbers are clearing congested shipping and restoring oversea and inter-State commerce. A speedy return to normal is assured. “ The efficiency of the volunteers has been noted at Melbourne, Newcastle, Brisbane and Adelaide. Working under the award provisions, which guard stringently against overstrain, the amateur gangs are loading 50 to 100 per cent more than the professional watersiders did formerly. In the case of one steamer, loaded by public-spirited volunteers, it had been arranged, judging the loading by the old rate, to carry on all day and if possible into the night- The new men, however, cleaned up the whole job by midday. A continuance of such honest effort in return for the high wages paid for this jiass of work must, it is contended, mevitably bring benefit to all sections of the community.”—Australian Press Association.