DIVIRGENT VIEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21243, 14 October 1940, Page 10

DIVIRGENT VIEWS

WATERFRONT EFFICIENCY AUCKLAND, Saturday Figures compiled by the traffic section of the Auckland Harbour Board do not support the claim of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, that efficiency on the waterfront since the appointment of the Control Commission has increased 20 per cent. They suggest only a slight improvement, which is suggested by stevedoring officials to be due solely to men working extra hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Extra rates are paid for this work. Actually, the tonnage handled an hour is no better than it was. There is unanimity on the point that there is still some bickering and disharmony on the waterfront, and that since the advent of the commission costs are a great deal higher. “The contract system speeds up the work, the men having more incentive when they know that there is something to work for,” said the president of the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union, Mr T. H. Solomon. The men had made higher wages under the system, he said, especially with the loading of butter, Auckland waterside workers being recognised as fast workers with butter-boxes.