THINGS THAT DISCOURAGE THE PEOPLE

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6102, 15 September 1947, Page 4

THINGS THAT DISCOURAGE THE PEOPLE

THE EDITOR’S COMMENT.

It is certain that the order issued last week increasing the rates of pay of the waterside workers by threepence an hour and bringing the actual payment per hour to 3/8, will not find favour with a great many people of this country. Not that they do not want to see the watersider get a fair thing, but it is far from equitable that unskilled work should be at a premium in this country, and that is the position today. Actually the new rate gives the watersider —or rather members of the union—one penny per hour more than th? rate paid for skilled workers as announced by the Ai-bi-tration Court last month. The union now receives 3/5, or two-pence above the gross rate for skilled workers. It has been stated that in the past ten years wages on the waterfront have increased by 1/2 an hour. The majority of the people would not feel so annoyed about this latest concession to a certain section of unskilled labour if they were satisfied that such- a worker was doing his best in the interests of not only himself, but the country, too. There have been, from time to time, striking examples of what amounts to sheer laziness on the waterfronts, especially on the Auckland wharves. Is it not a fact that only recently an overseas ship commander stated at Auckland that his ship had taken six weeks to load produce for Britain ? When his ship arrived at a Home port it would be unloaded in ten days. We have it on quite good authority from one who has recently been in the Old Country that wharf workers at one large port in England lift more than five times the cargo moved by wharf workers at Auckland, in a given period. At the present time we are all being urged to work harder and produce more. Those of us whose work lies in other directions than on the land are asked to make our trades, our businesses and our services, as productive and efficient as possible. This general appeal surely includes the wharf workers, too. It is all very well to make such an appeal and the leaders are, no doubt, aware that there will be a response from most of the people; but would not the response be greater and be given with more satisfaction if the leaders of the country Would take stronger

steps to see that the general effort is not impeded by a very militantsection of the people, but one in a considerable minority? How much longer are we going to have the lead-

ers of the country pandering to certain sections of labour at the expense of the majority of the people. Is it not time that Mr Nash, for instance, adopted a stronger attitude than the one he is alleged to have displayed in Auckland recently when he made comment that he wished some sections of the people would work . a little faster ? It is obvious from Mr Nash’s remarks; also in addressing a Chamber of Commerce luncheon, that he spoke with his “tongue in his cheek” somewhat. We want more reality than that if this country is going to make the contribution it could to help Britain. There are quite a few things happening in this country that are distinctly discouraging to the many people that are serious-minded about helping Britain. One has not to go to America to see or hear about the waste of food and other essential commodities by the people. There is a striking example in the Dominion this week. Let us not be misunderstood.. It is right and proper that the Uepohatu ,war memorial in the East Coast should be dedicated before a. represeptative gathering, but if His Majesty the King, can curtail the requirements of State functions and of Princess,

Elizabeth’s wedding, then the same

could be done at Ruatoria and much of the food that will be feasted upon could well go to the Old Country. If the Government wants the campaign of help for Britain to be fully successful, then it has got to adopt a firmer and more sincere attitude over some of the things that are distinctly discouraging to the majority of the people at the present time.