HANDLING OF CARGO.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14340, 9 July 1914, Page 3

HANDLING OF CARGO.

AND EMPLOYMENT OF WATERSIDE LABOUR. (Per United Pre=s Association,! AUCKLAND, July 8. The Auckland Harbour Board discussed a. proposal that the Harbour Boards should take over t'ne control of the handling of cargo and the employment of waterside labour, and adopted the following resolutions: (1) That in the event of any change by legislative enactment in the existing conditions being deemed desirable, this Board confirms and approves the principle of a Harbour Board being constituted the solo controlling authority as affirmed in the first resolution of the conference of Harbour Board delegates held in Wellington on the 23rd January last. (2) Tuat in the opinion of this Board any arrangement with shipping companies or stevedores to control tiic labour of the respective ports which may be entered into as suggested in the second resolution of t,be conference, would bo unsatisfactory, as it would involve dual administration, which would be impracticable. (Note —lf Harbour Boards have responsibility, they should have absolute control.) . (3) That if the present conditions are to be altered and a permanent sraffi engaged, such should be entirely controlled by Harbour Boards. Tim Board, 'nowevcr, is of opinion in relation of stevedoring work, that shipping companies must continue to control that absolutely* but that, just as Harbour Boards might control all wharf labour with a permanent staff, so the shipping companies might continue in control of stevedoring, but also with a permanent staff, which does not exist at ] s eseut. (4) Any amending legislation, therefore, should, in the opinion of this Board, be permissive, and extend to Harbour Boards optional powers to deal with questions involved in the manner best suited to the requirements of each port.