SHIP-LOADING RISKS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1087, 28 March 1911, Page 2

SHIP-LOADING RISKS.

WATERSIDE WORKERS COMPLAIN. DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. A deputation from tlio "Waterside Workers' Federation interviewed the Minister for Murine (the Hon. .T. A. Millar) yesterday. The members of the depulation were: Sir. D. M'Larcn, M.P., Messrs. Curtice, T. Smith, 1). Farland, W. Wrixfon, and T. King, officers and workers ot Iho federation. Sir. Sl'Laren stated that the deputation desired to put before the Minister the necessity for permanent inspectors for tiio larger ports of New Zealand, who would inspect vessels and see that their loading ami unloading gear was reliable, and do other similar duties to ensure tlio safety of waterside workers. During the last half-year there had been I'JO accidents to waterside workers in Wellington. The Slinister: Through defective gear? Sir. Sl'Laren: Through various causes. A large number were due to defective gear. Sir. Smith (secretary of the union) enlarged on these remarks. Both gear and unloading machinery should, he thought, be inspected. .Replying to one of Sir. Smith's statements, the Slinister remarked that the -New Zealand Government had no authority over oversea vessels that had been passed by the Board of Trade, unless they were unseaworthy. Ilis Department had control over only tile coastal boats. Sir. Smith \ wit on to say that, to be effective, inspection should'be inado of the gear at work. As it was, ships were now straightened just prior to the inspection, notification of which was always given. The number of accidents occurring at Wellington justified them in asking for the same inspection of gear as was given under the Scaffolding Inspection Act. Sir Curtice, president of the union, spjke similarly: •Messrs. T. King and Wrixon gave instances of defects in unloading machinery, and in the methods employed, which had come under their notice. They complained (inoro particularly in regard to tuc unloading and loading of coal) that, by the endeavour to liandle cargoes more quickly, the lives of men were endangered. If men were not prepared to take these risks. tliey were told they were not wanted. Over 2000 men were employed at this port, and surely, it was not much to ask that ail inspector should bo appointed to see that their lives were not unnecessarily endangered. ... Sir. M'Farland submitted a list of "small matters" which should be dealt with by tile Slinister by legislation, or regulations. . Inter alia, he contended, there should bo an ainbulanc.c gear for accidents. The cost of conveyance of injured men should also be met by the owners of the ship on which the accident occurred. A member of the deputation asked whether, tlicy could be prosecuted if the union declared against men working cargo, where defective arrangements endangered life. The Slinister replied in the negative. In such ease they would be refusing because of danger to life. The Minister's Reply. Replying to the major requests of tlio deputation, the Slinister said he had been .under the impression he was to be interviewed only on the matter of inspection. • Other important questions had been raised, some of which were for the Arbitration Court to deal with, some by regulations, and sorno were matters for legislation/ As to tlie question of inspection, it could not lie expected that only-Wel-lington should be favoured in this respoet. Other ports would require to have an inspector also if Wellington had one. The Slinister declared in reply to the. statement of one of the deputation, that the English inspt-ction of boats was "not very much." lie happened to know sonielhing about .the matter. The cargo gear in the colonial ships was. inspected by tlio Machinery Department once a year, and; |tjio-Marine Surveyor also overhauled it occasionally. . As a matter of' fact, only two accidents had occurred in the port of Wellington,- on colonial boats, during the y'ear'from defective, machinery —one on tlio Puknki and one 011 the ArapaWa.' "■ He agreed, "however, that too many accidents were occurring, and something would have to' be done to minimise them.- 1 ' ■ - V Members of the deputation declared there were more than two accidents. Sir. Millar said that in that case false returns were being sent 111. Ho would liko'to find out who were guilty of doing this. If 110 did ho would take good care that thoy did 'not; do it again. He stated emphatically that it was the duty of the Government to endeavour to save life, and this would bo always remembered. The suggestions of ttie deputation would be well considered, and, as far as he was personally concerned, he would ciklcavoiir'to get as much done as possible to protect the lives of the workers. As he had already said, some of the matters were for 'the Arbitration Court to deal with, and were not questions for legislation. He understood that the coal hulks were not inspected by the Government, but were overhauled every year by the Harbour Board. If he found it necessary to appoint another inspector he would endeavour to have it done. He was also prepared to have the hulks inspected if tho Harbour Board would allow it.