NATIONAL INQUIRY

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20693, 31 December 1938, Page 3

NATIONAL INQUIRY

WATERFRONT LABOUR

MINISTER’S ANNOUNCEMENT CAUSES OF COSTS AND DELAYS (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Saturday ‘The question of handling cargo on the waterfronts of New Zealand has been a matter of national interest for a considerable time,” stated the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, yesterday in announcing that the Government will make an early national inquiry into the costs of handling cargo on the waterfronts of New Zealand. 'The waterside workers have been accused of deliberately going slow, thus adding enormously to the co6t of loading and unloading." he said. "On the other hand it is claimed that the form of organisation associated with the stevedoring and the method of manning many of the ships have been largely responsible for delays and high costs and much of the discontent prevailing. However, it is my intention early in the new year to confer with all the interested parties in the hope of ascertaining the real cause. Investigating High Costs "It is quite obvious that the costs of loading and unloading cargoes must be kept down to a level consistent with reasonable pay and reasonable working conditions," Mr Webb continued, “for every increase in costs has its reflex in commodity prices. It is also clear that some change is overdue and whoever is to blame the sooner that blame is r'ghtly apportioned the better it will be for the country. "Until such time as this matter has been thoroughly and sympathetically investigated, suspicion rests upon the shoulders of the waterside workers for not playing the game, whereas an investigation may prove that the appliances used and the methods of stevedoring may be largely to blame. If this is so, the sooner the situation is faced the better it will be for all concerned. lam confident that the good sense of the bulk of waterside workers will be 100 per cent against any loafing on the job. Loafers Condemned "Loafers in any walk of life live parasitically upon the rest of their fellow-beings. Loafers never built up | unions and loafing can never maintain them. I am certain that these sentiments express the feelings of the waterside workers as a whole. 1 think it unfair to have them singled out and blamed if it cannot be proved that the blame is traceable to them. "However, it is my job as Minister of Labour to ascertain why the cost of loading and unloading the ships trading with this country is so high j compared with Australia and other comparable countries," Mr Webb said. “If some of the men are to blame then the sooner they are brought to book ; the better. I am bitterly opposed to the introduction or advocacy of any j form of sweating, but I do claim that. ! when conditions are made reasonably good, we have the right to expect a j similar response from those enjoying j the privileges that have taken the j

unions so long to obtain. Appliances and Stevedoring "Regarding the appliances in use, the times demand the best. The form of organisation as far as stevedoring is concerned wants to be of the best also. I believe that, if all the parties concerned will get together with unbiassed minds and (determined to evolve a practical system that will enable our produce to be handled as expeditiously and efficiently as is humanly possible, the present difficulties will disappear. "The same principle applies to many of our factories, which are unfortunately using antiquated plant to compete with the most modern organisation and efficient machinery in other parts of the world," Mr Webb concluded. "While some of our industries undoubtedly possess some of the most modern machinery and equipment, it cannot be gainsaid that a great improvement can be made in many others. I am confident that the Government would co-operate with the industries so suffering to enable them to provide better equipment in order to reduce the general costs of production."