NO CHANGE ON THE AUCKLAND WATERFRONT

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 June 1948, Page 4

NO CHANGE ON THE AUCKLAND WATERFRONT

(P.A.) Auckland, June 29. There was no important change today in the Auckland waterfront deadlock. A few priorities have been granted by the Waterfront Commission for discharge of urgent cargoes. A totai of 114 men were engaged as replacements and for priority carfloes this morning. Eighty-one were dismissed on penalty for refusing to lift the Mountpark’s hatches, bringing the total on penalty to 162, and no work was available to 185. About 1100 were working on various ships, but two ships which comp.eted work during the day released about 80 for the labour pool. About five large vessels will sail before the week-end and these departures will greatly increase the number of disengaged nuionists. It is estimated that mare than £lO,OOO has been lost in wages by the waterside workers since the start of the current Mountpark dispute. Wage differences up to £5 are now being met from the union fund and a third payment is to be made tomorrow which will make total disbursements £1245.

“The slow turn-round of ships in port has caused us grave concern,” stated Mr. J. Melling, chairman of the Auck.and Harbour Board, in his annual report presented today. “In spite of the immense amount of work and thought devoted to the subject by the Port of Auckland clearance conference, little or no improvement has been made. Ships are taking as long, if not longer, to turn around than before the’ conference began its deliberations. The conference will continue to sit until such time as some improvement has been achieved, or, as we all fervently hope, some acceptable conclusion has been reached in the present unsatisfactory position.”