WHARF LABOUR CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2497, 25 June 1915, Page 9

WHARF LABOUR CONTROL

INQUIRY TO BE MADE. The Question of labour conditions on the Wellington wharf was considered at the meeting of tile Harbour Board last night, when Mr. A. H. llindmarsk moved: "That a committee, consisting of five members of the board, be sot up to report to the board at its next meeting upon the following matters(a) The engagement of labour on the wharf; (b) the hours worked; (c) overtime worked; (d) distribution of employment ; (e) number of gangs employed in one hold at one time; and (f) generally upon the conditions of the engagement, employment, distribution, and discharge of labour on the Wellington water"It was eighteen months since the strike,' 1 said Sir. Hindmarsh, "and it was quite time the board considered the matter embodied in his motion." Mr. R. Fletcher seconded the motion provided Clause (e) was struck out. That was a question over which they had no control. Mr. J. Cobbe though that the board was a. good employer, and the men did not have so mueli to complain of. He had not heard lately of any dissatisfaction. Mr. C. W. Jones said tjiat there were no complaints against the present system. He did not see the necessity for such a committee. Mr. Hindmarsh said that It was well for the public to know that labour on tho wliarf was being well treated. His motion provided for that. He agreed to drop Clause (c). Mr. R. E. Sinclair moved as an amendment that the officers of the board should make the report on tho lines of Mr. Hindmash's motion, and the amendment was carried. A further motion by Mr. Cable was also carried, to the effect that Mr. Bennett. tho manager of the present scheme of wharf labour control should be invited to attend at next meeting of tho board, and address tho members. Mr. Hindmarsh also moved that Mr. flruce. tho secretary of the Wellington Uharf Labourers' Union, should also tie invited to address the meeting. .Mr J. Cobbe deprecated this. They ilid not want to stir up industrial trouble. The Chairman said that- Mr. Bennett was an executive officer of a scheme to which the hoard was a party. [Ie did not think they should draw in an outsider at this stage. The last motion b.y Mr. Hindmarsh was rejected.

M'Glasban's, UA-. Nap iei'i announce wmcthin? svwial in fhe way of farms »' Inies Bsy district,