PROPOSER SIEVEDORING ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1920, Page 1

PROPOSER SIEVEDORING ASSOCIATION

AN AUCKLAND CRITICISM

AUCKLAND, Dee 10.

A proposal for the formation of a New Zealand Co-perative Stevedoring Association was considered by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. gt its meeting lipid, to-day-. The following resolution was passed: “fhat the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, while in sympathy with the co-operation of labour arid capital ,is apprehensive of the proposed New Zealand flo-operative Stevedoring Asoei.ation, upon the lines of an agreement published; by the New Zealand Welfare League, for the following reasons: (1) The has been arrived at without any publicity, being given; (2) the proposes a, monopoly of the handling of cargo, such monopoly to bp under the conti pi of tho shipping companies and the Waterside Federation ; (3) the wharves and plant for the handling pf cargo, and its temporary storage, are public property, provided by public money; (4) the fixing of wages, which must ultimately ho paid for by thp public is left solely in the hands of a monopoly; (5) competition for stevedoring is abolished; (6) both parties to, the agreement are under a suspicion of exploiting the public unduly and unnecessarily, while one party is a declared supporter ; 0 f the formation of a “Council of Action ” which is admittedly an attack upon constitutional government The Chamber therefore, calls upon the Government to enquire into the agreement and terms of same, and demands that tire public through the harbour boards, the merchants, accredited labour unions, and anv other individuals or bodies which can throw any light upon the question, l>o h e a.rd at such enquiry which must be ppen to the public and the Picss of the Dominion.”