Non-Union Members Answer Wharf Call

Chronicle (Levin), 29 December 1949, Page 6

Non-Union Members Answer Wharf Call

AUCKLAND, Dee. 28. In reaponse to ^.n appeal for nonunion labour to repJace watersiders at present taking their annual holidays, between 600 and 650 meii, mostiy inexperieneed -but willing, offered themselves for employment on the AuckJancf wharves today. By aftemoon all but oue of *fhe ships in port" which requisitioned for labour, had had its requirements inet, aithough some of them were not working fully, becauSe of the shoy-t-' age of • experienced V.wineh'men ajid hatchmen. Of the exp'etjfed number bf" union watersiders, about 10C applied for work as eompared with the asual 1600. Shipping officials, who were worrieij' about the large number of umonists away on holidays, were generaily pleased with today >s response to their appeal. Made worse .by the long Ohristmas weekend, the eongestion in the port is increasing st'eadily. There are H8 overseas and large eoastal ships in port, eight of them strung out in a line doun the centre of the harbour, and a further five at tying-up berths aeross the ends of ' wharves. Only two of these

shxps will leave before the port shuts down for another long .weekend at the New Year. Five overseas ships are expected to arrive before next Wednesday. Beause of a technieal defect which preveuted her manoeuvring in aecordance with harbour regulations, the Bank Line motor ship Taybank was towed by two harbour board tugs to her anchorage in the stream from Rangitoto Channell , this morning, after she arrived froui the Gulf of M.exico. She wilJ lie in the stream some days awaitinsr a bertli.