Mr. Barnes Spends A Day As A Wharfie

Chronicle (Levin), 23 June 1949, Page 6

Mr. Barnes Spends A Day As A Wharfie

AUCKLAND, June 22. ' .. Because Ms union activities occupy most of Ms time, it is seldom tkat tiie national president of the NeW Zealand Waterside Wotkers' Union and a member of the Waterfront Industry Anthority, Mr H. Barnesy joins a dockside gang. Yesterday,, however,- he applied for employment. and- was directed to the freighter Barnhill. A minor dispute arose in the ship over the unloading of dangerous ethyl chloride, which resulU ed. in two gangs of watersiders walMng off the job for almost an hour before returning to eomplete the unloading of over 5000 cases of oranges and pine apples. Although ethyl. chloride was being unloaded by the consignee's men equipped with special protective clothing, watersiders working on other hatches deeided their position was dangerous and claimed danger money which the Union Steamship Company, agents for the vessel, did not feel inclined to grant. The claim will go through normal ehannels but the dispute resulted in the inen leaving the job until all the spirit had, been diseharged. They then unloaded the remainder of the fruit and the ship pulled ijnto the stream. Later in the afternoon Mr Barnes transferred to the island vessel Matua. To-day he was back on official union duties.