WHARF LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 41, 9 July 1914, Page 5

WHARF LABOR.

SUGGESTED CONTROL BY HARIiOR By Telegraph—Prcsa Association. Auckland, test Night. The Auckland Harbor Board to-day discussed the proposal that harbor boards should take over the control of the handling of cargo and the employment of waterside labor, and adopted the following resolutions:— (1) That in the event of any change by legislative enactment in existing conditions being deemed desirable, this Board confirms and approves the principle of the Harbor Board being constituted the sole controlling authority as affirmed in the first resolution of tlw conference of harbor board delegates held in Wellington on January 23 lajt. (2) That in the opinion of this Board, any arrangement with shipping companies or stevedores to control the labor of .the ports which may be entered into as suggested in the second resolution of the conference, would be unsatisfactory, and it would involve dual administration, which would be impracticable. (Note: If .harbor boards have responsibility they should have absolute control). (3) That if the present conditions lireto be altered and a permanent staff engaged, sutfh should be entirply controlled by the harbor boards. This Board is, however, of opinion, in relation to stevedoring work, that the shipping companies must continue to control that absolutely, but that just as harbor boards might control all wharf labor with a permanent staff, so the shipping companies miglhit continue in control of stevedoring, but also with a permanent staff, which does not exist at present. '(4) Any amending legislation, therefore shouid, in the opinion of this Board, be permissive," and extend to harbor boards optional powers to deal wit!i ;, 'i« questions involved .in the manner !>"st suited to ttie requirements of each port.