WATERSIDE LABOR PROBLEM

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1921, Page 8

WATERSIDE LABOR PROBLEM

NEED FOR SPEEDY REFORM. WILL THE GOVERNMENT ACT! The waterside labor problem still calls for a solution. Because things may be quiet on our waterfronts it would be stupid to assume that all is right. That is far from being the case. In general, the evils of the casual system of employment, the division of authority, and the absence of any plan of united control, are as great as ever they were. Public and private authorities may be disposed to assume that so long as there are no strikes, or other industrial upheavals the industry can be left to take chance without any attempt in the way of plan for the regulation of conditions. We' find that when reform is asked for the general result is very unsatisfactory. When trouble is acute we are answered, “Oh! yes, reform is necessary, but this is not the time, let us get over this trouble!” When things are quiet, then, it is: “Reform, why things are all right just now, we had better leave it over for the present.” Now, our view is that the need for reform in our waterfont employment systems is a long delayed trouble, which the Government of this Dominion ought to insist upon being put in hand in some practical ways.

Jt is not a matter of more academic debate. The League previously urged upon the Government to appoint a small Committee of Inquiry with directions to collect exact data and evidence at the principal ports and advise the Government with the view of legislative action. This course was not followed, as the fear obtained that an inquiry meant possibly a costly commission. We were careful to point out that such was not what we advocated but merely to secure the services of one or two competent individuals to collect the data available and so foeus the issues for practical treatment.

The waterside problem is always discussed on lines of generalities, or from the viewpoint of particular sectional interests, although it is really a public question affecting the whole country. ;’We are fully convinced that the Honorable G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labor, is alive to the necessity for reform, but he has been laid aside with illness from which we hope he will recover. Our reason for urging renewed attention to the question is that, in our opinion, there never was a better opportunity than now for effecting a change in the direction of establishing permanent and unified systems of employment at our several ports. The need for prompt action on the part of the Government is very great. “We trust that a measure dealing with this problem will be brought forward early next session, that evidence of the most practical kind will be secured, and that the Government will deal with the matter as an urgent and important policy matter. Unless the Government takes a determined stand there is every danger that the question will be side-stepped, and that nothing will be done to effect results for good. The producers of the country, the commercial interests and. the great body of consumers, who have to pay for the want of system, all desire reform of this important industry. It vitally affects the cost of living. The shipping companies, and the waterside workers cannot handle the problem alone, as their sectional interests must give them a bias favor of what will suit them to the exclusion of all others concerned. The problem is vastly more than seetional, it is national, and whilst we do not seek Government control where private business control can effect better results, in this instance we urge that independent general direction should be insisted upon. There is no time to lose and we would respectfully urge upon thd Acting Minister, and other Ministers concerned to give all their weight to this matter. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.)