Improving the Output

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1922, Page 3

Improving the Output

WELLINGTON WHARF EXPERIENCE.

WELLINGTON. Alarch 20. A much discussed point about the handling costs of New Zealand’s products has been that of reduced efficiency on the waterfront. Definite information on this question was given by the chairman of the Wellington liar hour Board at the. annual meeting. He remarked : —‘-Twelve months ago I took the opportunity of directing attention to an analysis of the records of

actual work done, and that it was not up to the standard that had and could be accomplished. \\ hilst it has to he admitted that there is a distinct improvement this year, and credit must be given, oven then the advance is less than it should have been. Let us examine the rate of progress compared with the results of twelve months ago. So far as the hoard’s casual employees ace concerned the figures show an increase of slightly over 11 per cent of tonnage handled per each worker pei hour. The figures are as fallows: Tonnage per man per hour, 1919-20, .889 'of a ton; 1920-21 .977 of a ton. How : does last year’s work compare with | that done in 1914-15? It is still 12 ' per ( .ent less. The recovery made has , hardly reached half-way even now. ; There is another viewpoint which is i frequently overlooked. During the last two or three years the board’s conveniences and equipments on wharves and stores have been improved. Transport of goods from stores to ship has been improved by the adoption of electric and gasoline tractors, making for speed and efficiency, and machinery . has been installed in all stores to proi mote expeditious handling of cargo. ! X<> doubt better results have been nt- | tained, hut has that been secured by j extra exertion on the part of the workI ers or it is due principally to the I board’s efforts to promote efficiency , and quicker dispatch? It wn s reported ! l, v the board’s engineer that last year 1 live petrol tractors were added to the | plant, three of which were imported ! and two built by the hoard’s workshop 1 at a lower cost, the engineer (states. 1 than tnat of the imported tractors i When the plant mm he kept fairly fully employed good work is done at- rcasoii- ' able cost, but when work is slack tlm overhead charges and standing-bv costs add considerably to the expense of hand I in/ goods.”