WATERFRONT LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2201, 14 July 1914, Page 5

WATERFRONT LABOUR

-—■—-—■— ■ " THE . PERMANENT STAFF/IDEA. :(Br teleerash— Prriso Association.! , 'J Auckland, July 13. The Waterside -■Workers' 1 Union, at a meeting cttendod by about six hundred members* expressed the, unanimous • opinion that a, permanent staff similar .. to that proposed l on the Wellington waterfront is-against tho interests of unionism and of; both the workers and tho shipping companies. The executive. was empowered'to take any steps necessary to oppose the' hew arrangement m far as it would interfere witli the work- ■ ing existing' at Auckland, where' the utmost good feeling at prosent exists between the union and employcrs. • . • The decision .of: the i Auckland water-. ■ suit workers to oppose any new . arrangement such as the formation of a permanent staff .. that might interfere with working conditions now in existence on tlio Auckland waterfront was incntioned to tho chairman of - tile Harbour Board (Mr. J. H.'Gunson). • In reply, the chairman explained-the posi- , tion as far as his board was concerned. "The special resolution adopted at the last AVednesday meeting by the board," lie said, -"has been conveyed to the : v Prima Minister. ' The board does' not ...consider this,matter with a view to initiating a scheme to bring about -a change in tlio present conditions on the Auckland waterfront, but the question i: was considered in response to tho Government's request for information as to the attitude Mof- the board. It was therefore, obviously, the . duty of tlie board to express its opinion in order . that legislation, if any is enacted, may not be of such - a character as to prejudice either .tho board or others con- < 1 corned." ■■■■• '■ i ; ",It'is admitted," continued tlie chairman, "that, conditions in Auckland are v ino.re' satisfactory-;thanthey have been fpr'/maiiy yearsV -'arid- unless, further cause arises than, at present exists, or unless there is some indication tliat .it would be in the public interest i'or the . board to move in the'"matter, the policy of the 1 bpard will :be ; to leave well ilone." " -• ■ - • - i i