DEFINITION WANTED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 591, 20 August 1909, Page 6

DEFINITION WANTED.

WORKERS' STATUS. PERMANENT V. CASUAL. The relationship between casual workers on the wharves and thoso. having a permanent status is regarded by the former as a question of great importance, involving almost the existence of thoir liuion. Tho discussion on. this subject," which was'comat Wednesday's sitting of tho AVaterside Workers' Conference, was resumed yesterday morning.^ The motion, which had boon moved by Mr. D. iM'Lnren, M.P., was as follows:— That steps bo takoh to havo tho, oc- ■ cupations covered by tho term "watorsido work" fully denned by tho Arbitration Court, so us to prevent tho employment of pormanont linnds to tho exclusion ,of tho casuals, "soeing tlmt tho latter alone aro bound by tho terms of our' awards. .' ■ . . ■ Mr A. Jones (Wellington) - nai'tl tho position had boen very uculo on tho Wellington wharves during tho reciont depression, and there was 0110, official who sc«ino(l to study to employ; the "constant'hands, instead of the casual workers, whenever \ibr.siblo. The constant hands received £2 6s. a Veil;, whereas the casual expected his 10s. a day. Something needed to bo dono in tho matter, at once.. ' ~.'■. . ,

, Mr. F.M'Cann' (Wellington) said that ho nad shown'some of the delegates - that morning two ships that were being worked solely by permanent hands. The position was one of .preference to. non-unionists; Mr. J. Brutori (Wellington) said the policy of the Harbour -Board' amounted to a breach of .faith.with the union,, and he considered ; that it/was not economical from the board's ; point, of view to keep so large a permanent staff,, who had to be.given constant employment, whereas the casual hands"were laid off iwhen- a- job was finished;" .'He wonld like to see all labour permanent. ' /■ . ■;' Mr.'.F. Lurch (Lyttelton) supported the motion. . . • ' .'■'■', . . ■

Jlr. D. M'Laren (Wellington) said tho matter affected Gisborne as well as Wellington; and if something were not;done tho position 'they wero complaining'of would be extended to the other ports of tho .Dominion. Like Mr. IJruton,. he would like' to , see all labour permanent, but they should try to stop, the present tendency towards using unorganised labour to the detriment of organised labour.'

Thb motion was, carried unanimously.. Mr. M'Laren. also moved: —'■■ .':. . > .That the'conference urge upon' the Minister for Labour to bring forward legislation to prevent tbeeraplovment. of permanent men at lower rates than are provided .'in any industrial agreement or. award of'the Arbitration Court. .

. The : mover, said, that if ,the Coiirt was going to pursue its present, line 'in' the' ihatber, direct, legislation would have to be sought.. .;. ■.'■.■. ■■' ■■- . ■ ; ; ■ ■.; •■■

_Themotion was seconded by Mr. E., <3,, Cass (Gisborne) ■and.carried."; .-'v : .: '•