H.—45.

Wobking Sundays and Holidays. A very material saving in time to overseas vessels on the New Zealand coast has been brought about by working on Saturday evenings, Sundays, and holidays. Reduction in Number of Poets of Call. The Overseas Shipowners' Allotment Committee, which consists of representatives of the shipping companies, Marketing Department, Railways Department, and Naval Authorities, has made a very valuable contribution to the speedier turn round of shipping by reducing the number of ports of call for discharging and loading of cargo. Summary. The factors enumerated above have to a varying degree contributed to the despatch of overseas shipping. Records for sixty-two overseas vessels trading to New Zealand during the period January to June, 1939, show that each vessel spent an average of thirty-six days on the coast. An average of only twenty-two days was spent on the coast by thirty-nine vessels trading to New Zealand during the period January to June, 1941. It should also be pointed out that repairs to engines, normally carried out in the United Kingdom, are now performed in New Zealand, and the Commission's records show that this factor delayed vessels an average of two days per vessel. There has been, therefore, a total saving of sixteen days in the despatch of overseas vessels brought about by the various measures referred to above. This represents, a 45-per-cent. reduction on pre-war averages. With the universal application of shift-work to all overseas vessels, the saving in time to vessels during the ensuing year should be even greater. A table setting out the position is shown in the Appendix. The results indicate that waterside workers have made a substantial contribution to the national effort by the working of long hours during week-days, Sundays, and holidays, and by the speedier handling of cargo under the co-operative contracting system. Disputes. A very important function of the Commission is the settlement of the multiplicity of disputes which are characteristic of the industry. The very nature and variety of the work tends to create differences. Generally speaking, all cargo-handling work is laborious, while some cargoes such as phosphates, bulk sulphur, &c, are obnoxious and discomforting to work, especially in the confined holds of ships during hot or windy weather. Other cargoes such as frozen carcasses handled in the refrigerated spaces of ships are both laborious and physically distressing. Other cargoes again are dangerous to handle, sling, and keep clear of when being hoisted. Apart from the variety of cargoes to be handled, the construction of some vessels makes it more difficult to work any class of cargo than in other vessels. Differences also arise between members of a gang, some of whom carry the greatest burdens of the work. It is not to be wondered at that in such circumstances disputes are frequent, and however trivial they may appear to be initially, it is essential to settle same as soon as possible, otherwise they are likely to assume an importance out of all proportion to their original significance. The Commission, by providing ample machinery for the rapid settlement of all disputes, lias removed any justification that may have previously existed for unconstitutional action. The general principle on which the machinery of settlement rests is that the parties themselves must make an effort to resolve their differences by conciliation. Any failure automatically invokes the compulsory arbitration provisions. It should be realized, however, that the negotiations between the parties for the settlement of disputes are too often marred by psychological factors, sometimes subconscious, not openly expressed or discernible, yet real and potent. The enmities and antagonisms embedded in human emotions over a period of years are frequently fanned by provocative remarks during negotiations, and the problems that arise are the most difficult and onerous the Commission and its officers have to arbitrate upon, often in an unavoidable haste, which does not permit of that quiet reflection and calm detachment which the occasion warrants. It is pleasing, however, to record that a very real improvement in the relationships between the parties has and is continuing to take place, which will be beneficially reflected in the national effort. The number of recorded disputes settled by the officers of the Commission over a period of approximately seven months ending 31st March, 1940, totals 105. There are many minor differences settled by Waterfront Superintendents which are not entered in the records. The number of disputes settled by decisions of the Commission after all other means had failed totals 59. The decisions given have not necessarily been findings in the accepted legal sense, or strict interpretations of the code of conditions operating, but rather judgments of equity in the light of the circumstances made known when the cases were presented. The findings of the Commission have been accepted by the parties in very good spirit, and it is expected that this method of determining differences will continue to give more satisfaction to the parties than the decisions of the past, which, given in accordance with accepted legal practice, often created greater difficulties in application than they were expected to resolve. Very few disputes have resulted in a cessation of work, and no large-scale stoppages have occurred since the Commission was established. The following comparison of time lost by stoppages of work over a period of years will prove interesting and will require no explanation : Average number of disputes per year for twelve calendar years 1928-40 was 8-17, with a loss of 3,326 man-working days

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