WHARF ACCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 191, 11 May 1944, Page 6

WHARF ACCIDENTS

Wellington Union Discussion There was no work on the Y ell ‘£ g the waterfront yesterday morning, due to the monthly stopwork meeting of the Water side Workers’ Union lasting for four hours instead of the regulation two .hours.. The extra two hours were spent in dis . cussing the increased accident rate on the waterfront and measures needed to 16 Following the meeting, Mr. T. Hili, national secretary of the union, stated that the national disputes committee was investigating th" question an<T a deputation had met Hi* Minister of Marine. Mr O’Brien. 'J :’«■ union was awaiting the’ result of the report to be submitted to Mr. O’Brien by odicera of the Manne Department, said Mr. Hill, but as it was not known how long it would be in forthcoming the union believed that some immediate action should be taken to alleviate the present The meeting decided yesterday morning that a committee be set up, comprising members of the local union and the national secretary, to bring down a report as to what part the waterside workers should play in avoiding accidents. The men appointed to the committee were experienced and competent waterside workers and had been in the industry for many years, and Mr. Hill said that the union was of the opinion that their report wou.d at least show that the union was vitally iuterested in . the protection of the life and limb of its members. What form the recommendations might take coulu not be stated as yet, as members of the union would be bringing evidence before the committee. 1 “The union is anxiously awaiting the report from the Marine Department,” Mr. Hill concluded, ‘‘and it trusts that the request of the union for a commission is granted.” The meeting also discussed a comprehensive report of the recent meeting of the national executive, containing matters of vital importance to members throughout New Zealand. The report was adopted unanimously. . “The unity that exists throughout the union today reflects great credit on members of the organization,” said Mr. Hill. “Waterside workers realize tljat, despite the hostile criticism to which, they have •been subject, that criticism has strengthened the determination of the union to see that the promises loudly made when danger was threatening these shores are fulfilled.” Mr. Hill pointed out that a number of letters had been received from members of the union serving overseas, and ali expressed the expectation that labour conditions would improve, so that when they returned they would be assured of a reasonable, standard of living.