WHARF LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 214, 29 May 1918, Page 8

WHARF LABOUR

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. (By Telcsraph—Special Correspondent.) Masterton, May 28. Tho question of the control of wharf labour was introduced at the Wellington Farmers' Union conference here today in the form of a motion, which read:—"That with a view to facilitating and economising the handling of coal nnd other products at the seaports of New Zealand legislative provision be made for the unification and control of labour and_ appliances on tho wharves of the Dominion." Mr. W. B. Mathoson (Eketahuna) said I hat such a subject was extremely difficult lor such a conference to deal with. On the waterfront thero was dual control, which was an excellent thing in mirage, but a dangerous thing in business. Mr. T. Moss (Eketahuna) said that the question had been considered by tho Efficiency Board and found to be a difficult one. . There was dual control, and tho men played off one control against tlio other. It any cost were increased to the shipping companies they passed on tho inwenfo to eoincongjdse. There was something very wrong in waterside control. That there were hundreds of men waiting on the wharves for work was disgraceful. We treated nur cattle better. _ However, the Hai'bour Board was trying to improve matters. Tho motion was withdrawn.