WATERFRONT WORK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 44, 15 November 1940, Page 9

WATERFRONT WORK

Operation Of Co-operative Contract System

MINISTER’S SURVEY Savings in time and money as a result of the introduction of the cooperative contract system of loading and discharging cargoes at New Zealand ports were given yesterday by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Webb. He said that the rate of work on the wharves had been increased by approximately 20 per cent. ■‘The co-operative contracting system was introduced on July 10 last.” said Mr. Webb, ‘‘and up to October 31 43 loading contracts affecting overseas vessels were completed, and the following cargoes shipped: Meat.J ,380.702 frozen carcases; butter, 432.770 boxes; cheese, 187,748 crates; wool, etc., 32,840 bales; tallow, etc., 4802 tons; hides. 22G8 tons: general, 5757 tons. The work was performed at an increased rate of 20 per cent, in excess of the rate of working prior to the establishment, of the contract system. ‘■Thirty-three discharging contracts for overseas vessels were also completed, involving the handling of 77,104 tons of general cargo at an increased rate of working of approximately 18 per cent, "The increase in the rate of work under the co-operative contract system means in effect that six days’ work is now performed in five days. As the average period for discharging and loading overseas vessels on the coast of New-Zealand is eighteen days (exclusive of steaming time between ports), a saving of three days on each vessel would be effected if the contract system operated at all ports. It is estimated that for the 31 vessels worked, there has been a saving of two days a ship due to the quicker rate of handling. A further saving of time was effected by the working of extended hours on week days. Saturdays, and Sundays. That amounted to approximately two days in the complete loading of each vessel on the coast. ■•The total savings of time at the ports of New Zealand for each vessel worked under the contract system would therefore be four days. Assessed on the low average of £4OO a ship a day operating cost, this would mean a saving of £l6OO a ship—for the 31 overseas vessels worked, a gross saving of £49,600. A set-off against that amount would be the extra cost in overtime, particularly for work done during Saturday evenings and Sundays. That amount is estimated not to exceed £lO,OOO. The net saving to the British Ministry of Shipping for the period from July 10 to October 31 would, therefore, be approximately £33,600. “The contract system has recently been applied to the vessels operated by the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd., including intercolonial, Pacific coast, and coastal vessels, loading and discharging at the port of Wellington, and better work is reported as a result. ‘‘However, it is too early yet to indicate the measure of the benefit that will accrue, as the application of the system to different, types of vessels must inevitably bring to light difficulties which require to be remedied. Time will permit the necessary adjustments to be made in the light, of the experience gained before a settling down to the new method can be expected. "When the experimental period has been completed, a rapid extension of the system to other ports will follow. It is pleasing to record that a greater degree of goodwill and co-operation is daily becoming more apparent from all quarters