The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1920. A SECRET CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 141, 10 March 1920, Page 6

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1920. A SECRET CONFERENCE

All who give the matter _ a moment's thought will agree with the Welfare League that the public ought to know what proposals are before the private conference which is now being attended here by representatives of the shipowners, the Harbour Board, and the waterside workers.' Many weeks have passed ?ince it was made known that the waterside workers were seeking a new agreement, but to this hour the parties to tho dispute have maintained complete official secrecy in regard to proposals and counterproposals. Although these parties include the Harbour- Board, the policy they have adopted implies that they agree in regarding the public as tho party which pays, but otherwise does not matter. The onh' information supplied to 'the nublic about the watersiders' demands was obtained by the Welfare League. This bodv now states that the particulars it published did not fully cover the demands, and that it is rumoured that "in addition to dealing with questions of hours of labour, wages, and general conditions of labour, this private conference is dealing with questions that, affect the ownership and control of tho industry." Whetheror not this rumour has any .foundation.the conditions under which the conference is being conducted suggest an almost touching faith in the readiness of the public to accept any treatment meted out, to it by the employing and wage-earning interests concerned in the dispute. An apparent explanation of the secrecy observed is that it is hoped that the public will acquiesce in a settlement sprung upon it suddenly which it would refuse to accept or endorse if time and opportunity were_ given for its consideration and discussion. If this is not the true explanation, it is for the parties to the dispute to stato the actual facts.

It is hardly necessary to point out that tho public is even move vitally concerned in the negotiations the watcrsidors and their employers are now conducting behind closed doors than it is in the average industrial dispute. Any _ alteration in -ths existing conditions of cargo handling—it goes without saying that the alterations will all be in one direction—will be felt and paid for more or less directly by every member of the community. Increased wharf charges mean of necessity an allround increase in the cost of living. They will impose an additional burden, also, on the export trade which in the near future may be carried on in less favourable conditions than during the period of the Imperial commandeer. This, of course, does not alter the fact that wharf workers are entitled to fair wages and working conditions, but it means that every demand put forward' ought to be scrutinised carefully and with due regard for the interests of the community. As matters stand there is little enough likelihood of these conditions being observed. In past dealings with the watcrsiders, the shipowners have shown at times a readiness to make concessions, which it is easy to pass on to the public, for the sake of industrial peace and the uninterrupted operation of their fleets. It follows naturally that the anomalous disproportion between the wages'of skilled and unskilled labour in this country is nowhere more strikingly apparent ■ than in the high rates ruling on the waterfront. Serious grounds for uneasiness thus exist in connection with the secret conclave of watcrsiders and wharf employee now in progress, the more so since it is rumoured that questions affecting the control of waterside industry, as well as wages and working conditions, arc under consideration. It may be held that the interests of the public are safeguarded by tho presence of Harbour Board representatives at the conference, and undoubtedly a measure of protection is thus afforded. The protection, however, is incomplete. Indeed, it is difficult to see how the HarboiiY Board can reconcile its duty as a custodian and trustee for the public with participation in a secret conference of this character. Certainly it would violate its trust if jt under-

took or countenanced any material alteration in policy without affording the fullest scope for public consideration and discussion. Public interest demands that such proposals and counter-proposals as are before the conference should bo disclosed before a settlement is effected.