APPRECIATION OF GOVERNMENT

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24914, 29 June 1946, Page 8

APPRECIATION OF GOVERNMENT

WORK OF WATERFRONT COMMISSION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 28. In a statement on the waterfront control changes gazetted this week, the Acting-Minister of Labour (the Hon. J. O’Brien) said that a splendid job had been done by the original commission, and he desired to place on record the Government’s appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the war effort by its members. “Overseas vessels were turned round m approximately half the time taken before the war. and the percentage of manhours lost through stoppages of work on the waterfront was reduced from .8 per cent, for the years 193740 tp .41 per cent, for the years 194145. Taking everything into consideration, we have very much to thank the members of the commission for during the war years and after. “The decision of the Government to reconstitute the commission was arrived at following an intimation by one of the commission that he wished to resign to take up other work, and requests by both employers and workers for representation. This is in line with the set-up recently recommended by Mr Justice Foster in Australia, who conducted an inquiry into the stevedoring industry in that country. “Provision has, however, been made for the appointment of port committees. consisting of an equal number of employers’ and workers’ representatives, with an independent chairman. This committee will co-ordinate the work of the present local disputes committee, bureau control boards, etc.

“A change is also being made in the designations of the various administrative positions of the commission by providing for the appointment by me Minister of a general manager, and such branch managers and other officers and servants as he thinks necessary. The position of branch manager replaces that previously known as waterfront controller. The general manager will be the chief administrative officer of the commission, and he will be responsible for the performance of waterside work, in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the commission, the operations of the labour engagement bureau and central pay offices, and the putting into effect of all orders arid decisions of the commission.”

The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) also issued a statement thanking members of the original commission for their services.