WATERFRONT LABOUR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 156, 1 June 1940, Page 7

WATERFRONT LABOUR.

SYSTEM CRITICISED. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, June 1. What he called “rafferty rules” on the Avaterfront A\ ; ere described by Mr A. E. Jull (National, Waipawa) Avhen discussing in the House of Representatives the AA’ar emergency legislation, the member being highly critical of the costly rates of overtime Avhich had been paid, these showing variations between different ports. It suggested, he said, that the shipping companies should be straightened up to secure proper unification of control over overseas transport. Referring to a rate of 10s 4d per hour for Avorking Saturday night and Sunday at Napier, Mr Jull declared it Avas a shame that Ministers should have imposed such an obligation on the British Government, Avhicli had to pay. Mr Jull suggested that the Administration ' had not shown competence, even for normal conditions. The secretary of the Seamen’s Union had declared in Dunedin that not even a Labour Government had ei r er made the Avorkers do anything they did not wish. The Prime Minister: Mr Walsh denies saying it. MINISTER IN REPLY. The Minister of Labour (Hon. P. C. Webb) followed with a strong reply to the criticism of high wajges on the waterfront, stating that the average was not on a par with the wages of a skilled machinist or competent tradesman. An overseas A r essel Avorktd during a Aveek-end in Wellington on a basis which gave the men £2 16s per day, yet if the same boat had Avorked in London under those conditions, the Avatersiders Avould receive £5 11s. Mr Jull ought to know that, unless there Avas a surplus of men at many ports, the shipping could not he expeditiously handled. In ports like Bluff and Port Chalmers they Avere bound to have a surplus of AAatersiders available to Avork the boats Avhen they came, othenvise they Avould not use these ports. The Government and the unions Avere opposed to overtime unless it Avas essential. Shipping companies had been denouiic*l, and the critic had whipped into the men as AA r ell. Thereuvas a certain amount of truth regarding both sides, continued the Minister, and because of it the Government grappled Avith the situation. It appointed the Waterfront Commission because it Avas not gouig to see the industry strangled. This commission Avas doing Avonderful work of benefit to the shipowners, the men, and the country. Great improvements had been made, and h° Avas confident the commission Avould gol\ T e one of the most difficult nrobleriis this countrv had faced. There Avas iioav no red tape about- tbe emnlovers, no “go-sloAv” by the Avorkers, Nothing like that would, be alloAved to stand in the Avar. NEW SA oTEM. “We are introducing a system of co-operative contract,” said the Minis-' ter. “where the men Avill.be paid for work done, and not get a bonus for leafing, as Avas the case under the old order, where they got four days’ pay for Avork which might have got the ship away in two. The neAv system will revolutionise Avork on the Aviterfront.”