WATERFRONT LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1921, Page 5

WATERFRONT LABOR.

A BETTER SYSTEM SOUGHT. I CONTROL BY HARBOR BOARDS. IMPROVEMENT HOPED FOR. - By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Lost Night. A deputation of the Watersiders’ Federation waited on the Harbors* Conference this morning to discuss <i better system of employment and the control of labor on all waterfronts. It urged the desirability of boards establishing permanent baths and sanitary equipment. Mr. Roberts, secretary of the Federation, said it was .essential that the committee supervising waterside labor should have absolute control. He believed they could establish a better system if they got right down to practical issues and ceased finally throwing mud at each other. Speakers-advocat-ed the scheme they had previously put forward. It was considered: desirable by both sides that there should be some restriction on the number of inen going to the wharves. Replying to a question, Mr. Roberts said watersiders would oppose, to the bitter end the issuing of licenses as unfair and not in keeping with British traditions. The chairman congratulated the speakers on the way they had expressed theii; views. After the watersiders’ representatives had presented their views to the conference, Mr. E. J. Carr (Auckland) moved that section 207 of the Harbors Act be amended to provide for the licensing of waterside workers, tally men, carters., etc. QUESTION OF LICENSES. Mr. Carr said that the trouble with the watersiders to-day had been caused by the employers, who had made a rod for their own backs. The trouble was only a reflex of their attitude to the waterside workers. No man had a right to work in the docks in the Old Country without a license. The bulk of the watersiders would welcome being licensed. At the present time, if a man paid 5s to the union he could not refused membership unless something was known against his character, which the speaker was afraid, was not inquired into. Under the licensing syster it would be possible to make a selection, which could not be carried out by the employers. Mr. H. Bond (Auckland) seconded the remit, which was defeated on the voices by a large majority. On behalf of the Wellington Harbor Board, Mr. C. E. Daniell moved that the conference request the Government to empower harbor boards to employ, control and manage all labor required in the loading and unloading of ships, and for waterside work generally, whether on the wharves or on vessels. Mr< Daniell stated that the motion was brought forward in order to effect an * improvement in regard to the employment of waterside labor. A harbor board was more competent to control an employment bureau than any shippins company, because it was impartial anc did not* represent either side. The New Zealand public were the owners of the ports, and the boards, who represented the public, should control the engage" ment of labor. Mr. A. E. Jull (Napier) remarked that under existing conditions the high r&tei of pay on the waterfront attracted mej from other callings, and this had th# effect of increasing the cost of laboi throughout the Dominion. ONLY ONE EMPLOYER. Mr. Harkness (Wellington) appealed) to the conference to pass the motion. The proposal, he said, .would foe strongly opposed by ship-owners and vested interests, but the Wellington board lieved that good would result if there;, was only one employer of labor on. the' waterfront. Mr. H. Holland (Lyttelton) opposed the proposal on the ground that it would lead to a board being a butt between the watersiders and ship-owners in the event of trouble occurring. Mr. H. B. Burnett (Auckland) considered that the power suggested was only* desired by a minority of the boarda. The remit was carried by 19 votes to* 13. The conference decided that in the event of the power being granted as asked for, the executive should be embowered to confer with the ship-owners and Waterside Workers’ Federation forthwith, and take all necessary steps to give effect to the Spirit of the remit. • A remit dealing with the provision ot meal rooms on the waterfront was moved by Mr. H. D. Bennett (Wellington) as follows: That the Government 0* asked to so amend the Harbors Act as; to empower harbor board*, if desired, to provide; erect, equip and administer, meal kitchens and waiting rooms fon the general use and convenience ofc waterside employees, and that power boj also given to boards to allot, rent, or lease such rooms at such rent, term* and conditions as a board may individually decide without necessarily putting? them up for public auction or tender.