NEW SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 215, 10 September 1940, Page 3

NEW SCHEME.

WATERFRONT WORK. TO OPERATE ON THURSDAY. The new vraterfront control scheme will come into operation in Auckland on Thursday next and within a few weeks at all Dominion ports at which overseas vessels call. This statement was made to-day by Mr. R. E. Price, chairman of . the Waterfront Control Commission. Later the scheme will be extended to other vessels, the ultimate aim being to bring all ports, vessels and waterside workers within its scope. Mr J. Roberts, of Wellington, a member of the Waterfront Commission ar -?, Ve ?r in „ A . uck,and thi * morning, and with Mr. Price he will address a" stop work meeting of Auckland waterside woikers to-morrow morning in order to explain details of the scheme. Both Mr Price and Mr. Roberts will return to Wellington to-morrow evening War's Challenge. w a 'l The ■ W . at « fr ? nt Control Commission was appointed by the Government for the express purpose of bringing about greater efficiency on the waterfronts of Aew Zealand, because the urgent need for the rapid turn around of shipping on account of the war situation" presented a challenge which could not b* ignored/' said Mr. Price this morning. "The Commission early got to work and removed some of the causes which Had given rise to discontent amono- the men, he added. "The wage rates were adjusted to restore to the waterside workers the relative position they had held in comparison with other industrial workers in New Zealand, for a lon<r period prior to September, 1937. Inc£ dentally, the relative position has a<*ain been lost by the recent pronouncement of the Court, and applications for adjustment have been made and will come up for hearing shortly. "The next step was to substitute the hourly wage system, which discouraged speedier working by paying wages on a time basis, for a method which would give the greatest reward to those who would contribute the best efforts. "The Commission considered that the method by which this could be best achieved was that known as co-operative contracting, and this method was accordingly adopted in a modified form and tried out at Wellington in June last on the Port Darwin, and subsequently extended to all other overseas vessels" calling at the port,". Mr. Price said. "The result was instantly successful, due to the co-operation which was freely given by a majority of the men. There were, however, influences at work to discredit the Commission and any scheme making for a change. "Doubt, Suspicion, Mistrust." "This, however, was anticipated by the Commission, for no fundamental change affecting thousands of workers has ever been made without arousing doubt, suspicion and mistrust in the initial stages. However, opposition is dwindling as more ships are being worked under the scheme, and the advantages to those concerned become more apparent. Every day that passes is awakening a consciousness among the men that the rewards of effort are worthy of same. "The Commission does not claim that a complete panacea for all the ills affecting the industry will shortly be found, but it is positive that a progressive improvement; in efficiency will be realised in a short space of time by waterside workers measuring up to the added responsibilities which co-operation entails. "The experience to date amply demonstrates that co-operation is worth encouraging, and is much better than compulsion, and every opportunity will be afforded the. waterside workers at Auckland to demonstrate their ability to do the job equally as well as their fellow unionists in the south. Gratifying Results. "The scheme has been tried not only at Wellington, but at Timaru, Picton and Bluff, and the speed of handling ■ cargoes, together with the earning capacity of the men concerned, show in- ' creases from 9 per cent to 90 per cent. The South Island has to date shown the J most gratifying results, but it is anticipated that the men at certain North Island ports who are eager to work ' under the scheme will show equally good results. i "The scheme will apply to Auckland ' on Thursday, the 12th instant, and with- • in a few weeks at all other ports in the . Dominion at which overseas vessels call, j Later it will be extended to other i vessels, the ultimate aim being to bring j all ports, vessels and waterside workers within its scope."