WATERSIDE LABOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1922, Page 5

WATERSIDE LABOR.

PLEA FOR MORE PAY CASE BEFORE ARBITRATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, March 27. _ For the first time since 1908 the Arbitration Court is hearing a dispute dealing with work on the -waterfront. Proceedings were initiated by the employers, and the union filed a counterclaim. The union asks for an increase of a penny per hour in the rates of pay, which are now i2s 4d per hour ordinary time, and 3s 5d per hour overtime up to 10 p.m., and 4s per hour overtime from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The employers ask the rate to be Is 7d ordinary time and 2s 4Ad overtime. They also desire to abolish stop-work meetings, and suggest special provisions against go-slow tactics and stop-work funerals. Opening for the employers, Mr. W. G. Smith emphasised the importance of waterside work as a key industry. Approximately £1,200,000 was paid in wages per annum for waterside work. The basic wage had increased by 64.7 per cent, since 1914 but, owing to the onerous conditions forced on the employers, the men’s actual earning increased 71 per cent. As an instance of the effect of high labor costs increasing unemployment and detrimentally affecting industry, he quoted the position of Australia, also the case of the Union Company, which, for the first time in 30 years, had not paid a dividend. Most of the shipping companies were now running at a loss, and, unless expenditure was reduced, then still more ships wouldx be laid up. During the waterside case the attention of the court was drawn to letters and articles in the Press bearing on the dispute and likely to prejudice the hearing.

Mr. Justice Frazer said the court would not express an opinion _pn what had been published, as it might have been done innocently, but in the case now before the court the law on matters that were sub judice was applicable in the Arbitration Court in any dispute, just as it applied to any action in any other court. Mr.’ Smith, continuing his address, said that the high wages now paid were forced on the employers by force majeure owing to war conditions. The actual cost of handling cargo at Wellington had increased, on the average by 107 points, or 65 per cent, on general cargo, and 133 points or 35 per cent, on coal, partly owing to go-slow tactics.

Mr. Smith asked for the deletion of the wet weather clause, which had been flagrantly abused by the workers. In one case alone £145 had been paid in wages, although not a stroke of work had been done for it. The employers also asked the court to insert a no discrimination clause for the preference clause, which had been greatly abused. Further, the union had not shown that it relied on constitutional methods for the settlement of disputes, and its control had passed into the hands of men of advanced views who ran the union for the purpose of advancing their revolutionary theories, and made illegal levies. If these were not paid the union tried to debar men from getting work, ALLEGED CHARGE RESENI'ED. Strong exception was taken by the union representative to a statement made by a witness in regal'd to coal-handling. Captain Walton, marine superintendent, stated that coal-handling had been reduced from fifteen tons per gang per hour to about ten. He supposed this was the result of enemy action. Mr. Bruce, secretary of the Watersiders’ Union, strongly objected to the remark made by Captain Walton. He said the latter was suffering from an attack of vivid- imagination. Mr. R. J. Roberts, Federation of Labor, said it was a serious charge to make, for it inferred that the watersiders had been in league with the Germans. He demanded a definite explanation. A charge against 6000 men of having been influenced by enemies during, the war could not be lightly passed over. Captain Walton: "I did not say that.” Mr. Roberts: ‘‘You said it was enemy action.” His Honor (Mr. Justice Frazer) : “He has only given it as a possible supposition.” Witness said he held the highest opinion of the men on the wharves. He made no charge against any body or individual. His Honor: “You said the possible origin of this trouble might have come from, enemy information.” The Arbitration Court will have most complete information at its disposal when it deals with the cost-of-living c ’.estion. Information is now being obtained of every cost in the single group, the food group, rent, clothes, etc.