WHARF ACCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3169, 21 August 1917, Page 6

WHARF ACCIDENTS

PLEA FOR MORE RIGOROUS. CONTROL Accidents in the handling of cargo have been discussed by the waterside workers at their most recent conference, and yesterday a deputation from tho exeeiitivo of llie New Zealand Water-ide Tvorkers' Federation waited upon the Minister of Marine to bring under his norico certain of the proposals of the federation in conference, for tho avoidance of such accidents in future. Mr. L. Glover said that the proposal of tho deputation was that there should b<s a conference of representatives of the Ciov* eminent, the shipping companic:,'ihe waterside workers and the Harbour Board to consider how these accidents may be reduced in future.

Mr. J. Roberts said that in AVellingtor. there had been 243 accidents in the year I'M. He admitted that some of the accidents were minor ones, but the accidents included in his' count had all been severe enough to nut the men out of work for fourteen days or more. Hβ spoke also of the handling of dangerous cargo, such as sulphuric acid, benzine, and inflammatory oils, and of the Royal Commisison that had sat in Auckland to consider this matter. The inquiries made by the Commission had been veryexhaustive, but he did not know of anything having been done to improve existing conditions. At the request of the federation, the late Minister of Marine (the Hon. Dr. M'Nab) had appointed inspectors in Wellington and Auckland, and tho federation appreciated the actiou of tho Government in this respect. to be some doubt, l'owever, about the power of these inspectors, and it was suggested that if the inspectors were given extended powers much good would result. It was also suggested that the waterside workers should be allowed to nominate a man to assist in the work of inspection.

Mr. J. G. Bruce referred to tho very sympathetic hearing the late Dr. Jl'Nab had given to the watersiders, expressing the opinion that if the late Minister had lived tho reforms promised by him would have been put into effect. A total of 2fff accidents on the Wellington waterfront out of a union membership of 1500 was a very high percentage. Some of the accidents were unavoidable, but more supervision was'required. He pointed out that the inspectors had no power to deal with the handling or goods in tho Forbour Board's shed": or in the hulks. Referring to the handling of inflammablecargo, ho said he was glad to see that electric light had been installed on the wharves, and he hoped it would remain there.

Mr. Laurenson. urged that the Gover.'i' ment should be tho sole controlling authority for the matters mentioned.

The Minister, in reply, said that lie was pleased to have Hie assurance of iiin deputation that the officers of his Department were, doing satisfactory work. It should bo understood that the Marine Department exercised control only so far as the ships were concerned. Tho Harbour Board accepted control as sooa as the carp came ashore. He would be glad if it were possible to extend iho operations of the inspectors to cover tho whole of the work connected with the loading and discharge of vessels in port, including tho work on the wharves. But; no change conld bo made without legislation. He had given consideration to tho subject of tho conference suggested by tho deputation, but he would want a definite scheme to submit to them before he called delegates together. He had no fcnowled<»c of what his predecessor in office, tJio late Hon. Dr. M'Niib. had promised. When a scheme had bean drafted lie would consider if legislation was necesrary, and if so, he would try to got it through during the present eession. Referring to the handling of dangerous and inflammable goods, the Minister said that he felt ho ought to be frank with the deputation. The information placed before him indicated that mue.h of tho danger arose from the wav in which flio goods wcro handled br the men. Hn had been considering the advisability of bringing down a regulation making it a penal offence for any man to show want of care in handling cargoes of a dangerous or inflammable character. Careless methods meant danger not merely to the man who was actually handling the ir"ocls, l" ,f t° many other men who ' might have to deal with them nt that time nr later. jTo would look to the federation for eonnemtion and assistance in this matter. Tf the unions would nrovide him w:lh regular li«te "f ac<-i<!ent« he wnnld havo renortc prepared by the Department 'phowi"?- as far as where the responsibility had rested.