WELFARE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 107, 30 January 1920, Page 8

WELFARE LEAGUE

WATERSIDE IffouSTRIAL

DANGERS

CONTROL OF ALL STEVEDORING BY

THE UNIONS

PROTEST AGAINST PRIVATE

CONFERENCES

(Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.)

There is a very widespread ami disturbing rumour in circulation that at the coming conference of the Harbour Board and Shipping Companies with the Waterside Workers' Federation, a claim will he made that all the stevedoring, coal and cargo work of our ports shall he placed in the hands of the waterside workers' unions. Willi (ho know-ledge, which should be universal by this time, that the Waterside Workers' Federation's policy is- definitely syndicalist and revolutionary, this suggested radical change in the system uf controlling our wharves and shipping- should wake all sensibleminded citizens (o the danger now looming in front of us. That tliU ugly rumour is not based on mere gossip is indicated by the fact, as reported, that at the recent conference of the Waterside Workers' Frdera.ion, 'held in Napier, the following resolution was adopted:—"That sjeps bo taken immediately in order that affiliated unions have representation on the harbour boards throughout the Dominion, the object being for the watersiders to eventually secure more control over stevedoring." The openly pronounced selfishness therein expressed should make all concerned realise what wo are dealing with. A claim for representation on a public body not to serve tho public, but, as plainly staled, to g'et power of control for themselves. 'Hie watersiders' leaders—or, moro proplriy named, misleaders—have told the employers on several occasions that conceding their claims for higher wages or improved conditions of work was only a stop-gap, what they'were really after was control and ownership of tho industry. The plea for iinion control will no doubt bo first of all presented as a request that the union shall be allowed to take over the loading and discharging of cargoes at rates of so much per ton. This seemingly simplo system is, however, only a prelude, to reques's for control of the machinery, the sheds, the wharves, and tho whole plant required with which to carry on the work. It is well known that for a considerable time past (he shipping and other authorities 'having to do with transport business at oui ports have been at their wit's ends as to how to get the work done. The red industrial clement lias been most active in spreading the false syndicalist revolutionary ideas, and the' result ihas been slackening of effort, cutting of time, limiting of output, and all the petty methods of syndicalist obstruction of the industry. It is to this industrialist party of revolutionism that it is being suggested the control of all stevedoring be handed over.

Employees are Not the Public. The danger hero referred to is the greater because it is understood that whilst some of the cir ployors are utterly opposed to encouraging this spreading 01 syndicalism, there are some of the shipping companies that are inclined to say, 'let tho union have control if otir ships laro only cleared." It should be evident to everyone (hat I 1 !)is new form of demand being made by the Waterside Workers' Federation is not really (lie matter of an industrial dispute with their employers. Tho questions raised are vital matters i<f public policy. The syndicalist rcvolutionnirc says: "The wharves for the waicrsidcrs!" '/The ships [ for the seamen!" and so on. ,The State in New, Zealand has a certain proprietary interest in the wharves, (locks, anil ports. Tho issue being raised is 1 , who tihall own and control all this public property? That is not a question for either the shipowners or tho waterside workers to settle. In Wellington about one-third of the work of the port is in tho hands of tho Harbour Hoard, but let the suggested union control of the work bo established, and it moans the opening up of a system that would push the Harbour Board out of existence. It will bo a most monstrous action if the employers on our waterfront meet the syndicalistminded waterside leaders in conference and agree to any terms 0/ practically handing over control of public property. The employers are not tho public; and should not be allowed to 6e(tle these matters of public policy.

Let tho thin end of the wedge of established syndicalist control be established on our wharves, as it may be by the supincness or selfishness* of some of 9he companies, and there will soon arise a demand for its extension to other industries. The danger is a general one. and most seriously effects the public. It is not merely the shipping companies' concern. Wanted, the Fullest Publicity. In the cases of the recently held conference of con I mine owueis and the miners, and the railway inquiry, demands wero made that t'ho. hearings ba in public, which in each instance was conceded. The Welfare League makes the general demand that in all industrial disputes, conferences and inquiries, where the public is affected, tho proceedings bo open to the Press. The seamen's conference wil'h their employers and the waterside workers' conference with their employers should be made public. For many years (lie disputes of these parties wero heard before the Arbitration Court, and always in public. "Why should tho matter of these disputes be dealt with in secret now? The public has a right to know, as. it is an, interested party, very much so. It is ultimately the paying party. Why sliould any two parties meet in secret and settle matters which affect a third without the latter knowing anything of Hie transaction? This is a most unjust proceeding, therefore tho league's demand for publicit)-.

The issues that are those of public policy ought in no case to be settled by any conference of prhato parties, and industrial disputes, particularly in .respect to Wie key industries of the Donuniin, should be open to Hie public, as the public is a party concerned in such disputes, and affected by the settlements made.