SEARCHING INQUIRY URGED

Chronicle (Levin), 17 April 1946, Page 5

SEARCHING INQUIRY URGED

-Press Association

AUCKLAND BOARD FED UP

By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, April 16. A searching public inquiry into causes oi stoppages and discontent on ths waterfronfcs of the Dominion, is to ue suggested by the Auckland Harbour Board to the Frime Minister, Hon. F. rraser. The board stated it wonld gladry coop-erate and urged the necesaity oi' iimuediate action. xhe board was deeply concerned at continued unnecessary delays and interruptions which resulted in disorganisatipn of industry and withholding of urgently needed supplies to Britain. No expense had been spared by the ooard in providing up-to-date wharves and mechanicai equipment for the rapid nandimg ox cargo, and it had recently authorised the expenditure^ of a large sum to improve and enlarge accommodation for waterside workers. Unfor-

tunately, far from being improved, the rate of cargo handling was slow-er than iv had ev^-r been and tlie board wasr seriousiy alarmed at the costly and vvastriiuii elfects' of the slow and intermittent worxing- which . had deveioped | and which appeared to be growing j worse, it was felt that the time had arrived ; for an inquiry to evolve methods of re- 1 cojoonoment and industry on i the waterfionts throughout- the Domln- i ion. { The chairman, Mr. J. TJ Frater, said : the rec-ent Auclrland waterfront holdupi had given members a good- deal of1 wcrry and coneern. On two earlier oc- i casions representations had been made to the Government and h-e thought they Jhouiu now be made more 'forcibly. "The time has arrived when some1 steps must be taken to stop hold ups, ' ' said Mr. J. B. Donald. "They cannot' be allowed to go on. The trade of New ; Zealand will not be able to carry on if we have a continuance of • what has been happening over the past few 1 monfhs. ' ' j