CONTROL OF WHARVES ON NEW BASIS

Chronicle (Levin), 29 June 1946, Page 7

CONTROL OF WHARVES ON NEW BASIS

EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES BOTH ON COMMISSION Thc reconstruction of the Waterfront Uontrol Cominission xs provided for in the Waterfront Industry Emergency Regulations, gazetted. A Waterfront inuustry Commission is estab'lished, with functions and powers similar in the maui to those granted to the Waterlront Control Coniniission. The regulations are intended to operate tili iegislation is jjlaeed before Parliament. The new commission comprises two members nominated by the New Zealand VVaterside Employers' Association Industrial Association of Employers, two members nominated by the New Zealaiul Waterside Workers' Industrial Ciiion of Workers and an independent cliainuan. Alr. Justice Ongley lias been appoiuted chairman, the otlier members being Messrs JLv. A. Belford and G. L. Almond nominated by the employers. and Messrs H. Barnes and J. Fiood- nominated by the union. The chairman will liave a full-time position while the members will be paid on daiiy attendance at meetings. I "The regulations revoke the Waterfront Control Commission Eme.rgenev Regulations, 1940, and ainendments thereto, " said the Acting-Minister of Lubour, Mr. O'Brien. "The "Waterfront Control Commission was appointed under War Emergency Regulations 111 194U to expedite the dispatch of shipping. ! " Xotwithstaiuling the criticism , j against Ihe commission from timo to j ime botli by employers and workers, a j spiendid job was done and I desire to ! place on record the Government's apj preciatiou, for the valuable service ! rendered to the war effort by members J — Captain R. 10. Price, Mr. .Tames Kobj arts, Captain II. A: McLeod, and Capj :ain T. II. Bowling, who replaced Capi Lain McLeod on his resignation. j "Overseas vessels were turncd round 1 n approxiniately half the time taken j lol'orc Ihe war and the percentage of 1 iiau-hours lost througli stoppages of j vork 011 tlie waterfront was reduccd j r'rom .S per cent. for the vears 1987-40 j to .41 per cent. for the years 1941-45. Paking cverything into consideration .ve have verv much to lluink the memj oers of the coniniission for during the >vur years and after. "The decision of the Goveminent to ••econst'itute the coinmission was arrived at following an intimation by me of the cominission flint he wislied o resign to tuke up otlier work and requests by botli emjiloyers and work•rs for representation, and is in line vith the set-up recently recommended iv Judge Foster in Australia who conlucted an inquiry into the stevedoring industry in that country. "Provision has, however, been made .-'or the appoiiitment of )>ort commit'••cs consistiiig of an equal miiuber of employers' representati ves and work'rs' representatives with an independent chairman. Tliis committee will coordinate the work of the present local lispntes coiiimitLec, bureau control boards, etc. j "A change has also been made in the | designations of the various administraI'ive positions of the commission by j providing for the appoiiitment by the ! Minister of a gencral nianager and such j iiTirich maiiagers and otlier otficers and : ervaii(s as he tliinks necessary. 1 "The position of branch manager ) leplaees that previously known as j vvuterfront controller. Thc general man- ! iger is the chief administrative 'ofiicer if thc cominission and will be lesponsible for the performance of waterside work in acconlance with the conditions prescribed liy the commission, the qierations of labour engagement bureaux and central pay oftices aiul the ]>uttiug into effect of all orders and lecisions of the commission. The empioyment of officers and servants of the Waterfront Control Commission is contiiiued under the Waterfront Industry Commission." -Mr. A. E. Boekett, secretarv to the Waterfront Control Commission, has been appointed to the position of gencral manager of, the Waterfront I11I dustry Commission, and Mr. W. J. Cuthbert, waterfront controller at Auckland, has lieen appointed to the position of assistant-general manager. The Prinie Minister, STr. Fraser, ex(eiuled the thanks of tlie Governinent 0 Cajitain Price, Mr. lloberts and Caplain Bowling. They came forward at a critical period of tlie war to assist rogarding waterfront work, which was j a ke.v poi 11 1 in the transport svstein and i !lie war effort. They assumed the most onerous and ii'ficuit res]ioiisibility of control ling, orj ganising and directing the operation of Ihe w-harves. They gave up tlieir permanent positions and accopted the risk, *lie responsibility and ])0.ssible clashing and unpopularity with both employI "i's and workers. | Mr. Koborts, at liis (Mr. Fraser's) rcj quest liad continued in office at great | personal inconvenience long al'ter he | 'iad askeil to be allowed to retire to j nssume otlier duties. The comniission- | "rs liad served their country devotedlv and well during the war and later.