SHIPS' GEAR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13337, 28 March 1911, Page 3

SHIPS' GEAR.

WATERSIDE WORKERS’ WANTS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 27. Tho Minister of Marine (Hon. J. A. Millar) this afternoon received a deputation from the Wellington Wharf Labourers’ Union on matters affecting the lives of waterside workers. Mr D. McLaren, M.P., who introduced tho deputation, said some time ago the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Federation had put forward the question of the inspection of ship’s gear. The trouble was not with regard to the inspection of Harbour Board gear, but what the deputation. wished to put before the Minister more particularly was that there should be permanent inspectors of gear appointed for larger ports. During the last six months there had been 190 accidents on the Wellington wharves from various causes. The figures were staggering. A large proportion of these accidents was due to defective gear. Other members of the deputation also spoke. In reply, the Minister said lie would carefully consider the matters the depu-tation-had placed before him. Some of them were matters for the Arbitration Court, others for legislation or regulation. .Regarding the question of inspection, they could not possibly start to appoint one inspector for Wellington alone, because, as they knew, there were other ports where there was as much trade going bn as in Wellington, and there seemed to he a difference of opinion betwixt tlic members of the deputation. As to inspection of Home ships, they had no control over vessels from Home, except when they thought a ship was unseaworthy, and in . such case they had power to stop her from going to sea. He agreed that there were too many accidents, and something would have to be|done to minimise them. Mr Farland: They have not reported half of them. Mr Millar; Well, then, those responsible must be making false reports. If I can find any man, either owner, captain, or anyone else sending in a false report, I will take care that not another false one is sent in without the responsible person paying for it. Concluding, McMillan jaid the whole question 'of the ■ shipping' and’ sc a mon and of local autonomy is now being dealt with at the .pending Imperial Conference, and the Prime Minister has full information with regard to the matter. Tho question is going to he fought out by Australia and New Zealand,’as to their right to legislate for shipping on their own coasts.”