WATERSIDE WORKERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2234, 4 July 1908, Page 2

WATERSIDE WORKERS.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. [Fuess Association.] WELLINGTON, July 3. Air. -Farland (‘Wellington) moved at the Waterside- Workers’ Conference to-day—‘‘That the conference institute full enquiry into the individual conditions of the men with.the,object of providing a scheme for better distribution of tho work.” Ho saidithere were men in work in Wellington who had been working for some time for £4 or £5 a week, and then found their wages reduced by outside competition to a. few shillings a week. He cited cases of men who had been five months on tho wharf and had earned an -average of 25s a. week, and others 30s, 355, '£l 5s 6d, £2, and £2 10s. The remit was adopted. Mr. Farland moved—“ That ' the employers of wharf labor he. compelled to show just cause and reason for discriminating against any man who has been employed for a period of time in his individual department, the secretary of the union to act as adjudicator in all cases, and that tho hours of engagement bo such that men can leave the waiting -rooms periodically.” Air. McLaren, suggested that discrimination- would only affect a few men, and ho submitted to the conference that tho Executive take them in hind, together with the secretaries of the unions, in order to obtain plans for tho fair and- equitable distribution of work at tho different ports, and that the Government establish -Boards of Appeal where cases of men who ihad been discharged could be investigated. He had known cases of men who had been employed on the wharf ten to fifteen years deprived of their living ami no reason given by the employers'. If a union secretary wero appointed adjudieiator he. would he regarded as an interested person. Therefore it W 1 is, preferable that a special Appeal •Board should be instituted. Air. Jones considered that the secretaries were the responsible persons. Air. AleLaren objected that thc\secretaries should put the views of the union in the best possible way. The secretary should he one of the union’s own men. Air. AleLaren’s suggestion was then put in the form of an amendment and carried. The question of who should supply the working tools of wharf laborers was raised. A resolution was carried affirming that shipping companies should provide wharf, laborers with working tools.