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to obtain approximately 100,000 square feet of storage space off the wharves, and the Cargo Control Committee and staff at.that, port performed a valuable service in the war effort in preventing any acute shed congestion. In addition to the removal of goods to the Committee's stores, orders were issued for large quantities of cargo to be moved to consignee's stores in overtime hours. As a large quantity of the goods handled were subject to Price Orders, it was not reasonable to expect one consignee to take delivery of goods in overtime hours at considerably increased cost while his competitor had obtained delivery during normal working-hours, and the Government therefore agreed to the payment from War Expenses Account of the difference between ordinary and overtime rates of pay to carriers and storemen employed when the overtime was ordered by a Cargo Control Committee. Members of the Committee have performed their duties without remuneration, and the Commission desires to place on record the valuable services rendered in the war effort. Published in the Appendix (page 89) is a table showing the expenses and revenue of Cargo Control Committees at the Ports of Auckland and Wellington, the tonnage removed from wharves in overtime hours, and the tonnage handled into Cargo Control stores with cost per ton. It will be seen from the table that at the Port of Auckland 296,680 tons cargo was removed from the wharves during overtime hours at a cost from War Expenses Account of Is. 6-33 d. per ton. A total of 253,492 tons of cargo was received into and delivered from Cargo Control stores (during ordinary and overtime hours), the net casual labour handling cost being Is. 3-45 d. per ton and overall store cost 3s. 7-08 d. per ton. At the Port of Wellington 82,773 tons cargo was removed in overtime hours at a cost of Is. 6-6 d. per ton, and only 9,169 tons of cargo was removed to Cargo Control store (operated by Ministry of Supply). 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES BASE IN NEW ZEALAND The establishment of a United States base in New Zealand early in 1942 threw a great strain on the cargo working and storage facilities and also the labour resources at the Ports of Auckland and Wellington. The main base was established at Auckland, and the American authorities were granted complete use of Prince's Wharf and also allocated berths at other wharves from time to time as required. Large stores were erected off the wharves to which goods were moved on discharge for sorting prior to loading for the war area. Some indication of the amount of work performed by waterside workers, including non-unionists, at the port of Auckland will be obtained from the following figures of wages paid out by the Commission's Central Pay Office :— y.„ Wages Paid on behalf of United m , , ..... * ear " States Authorities. Total Wa g es " £ £ 31st March, 1943 .. .. .. .. 433,429 1,138,708 31st March, 1944 .. .. .. .. 1,154,659 1,849,977 31st March, 1945 .. .. .. .. 542,300 1,258,412 £2,130,388 £4,247,097 It will be seen that for the three years approximately half the wages paid at the port represent work carried out on behalf of the United States authorities. It is estimated that the cargo loaded and discharged on behalf of the American authorities up to 31st March, 1945, was over 2,000,000 tons. The whole of this work was performed by civilian labour, and, generally speaking, vessels were given very good despatch, priority of labour being granted where supplies were urgently required in the forward area. Due to serious delays in discharge of vessels at other United States bases in the Pacific, frequently vessels were diverted to Auckland in order that they could be rapidly discharged and returned to the United States for further loads. At the Port of Wellington civilian labour was not in the first instance employed loading and discharging American vessels, this work being carried out by United States Marines. Large stores were built on Aotea Quay for use by the American authorities, and storage space was also provided off the wharves. Although Service personnel was being employed, the Commission offered every assistance to the American authorities, and from time to time made available supervising staff. When the Marines were moved from Wellington in 1943, civilian labour was made available, and early in 1944 all United States vessels loading and discharging at the Port of Wellington were worked under the co-operative contracting system, good work being performed. The cost of stevedoring operations performed on behalf of United States authorities in New Zealand was met by the New Zealand Government under reverse lend-lease. 8. THE INDUSTRIAL REST PERIOD EMERGENCY REGULATIONS 1943 In December, 1943, the above regulations were gazetted for the purpose of providing a minimum rest period for workers in industry with a view to securing the efficient prosecution of the war and generally safeguarding the interests and maintaining and promoting the welfare of the community. The regulations granted to workers who were not entitled to annual holidays on pay a minimum rest period of five days at ordinary rates of pay. Union waterside workers who had been regularly employed or who had regularly attended for employment in the industry during the three months ending 21st December, 1943, were granted five days' holiday and payment therefor of forty hours at 3s. 2d. per hour = £6 6s. Bd. Similar payment was made to non-unionists where the worker had been regularly employed or had regularly attended for employment in both ordinary and overtime hours and relied substantially on the waterfront for a livelihood. Although a number of problems arose in the administration of the regulations as affecting the waterfront, the holidays were granted with a minimum of inconvenience to the industry and to the general satisfaction of the workers. Accounts of the fund are published in the Appendix (pages 79 and 84), and detailed explanation is set out in the heading under " Accounts." 9. ANNUAL HOLIDAYS ACT, 1944 Due to the problems in granting annual holidays to waterside workers, provision was made in the Annual Holidays Act, 1944, whereby workers employed under the terms of any order of the Waterfront Control Commission and workers employed as tally clerks are to bo allowed holidays on such terms and conditions (on the basis of two weeks' holiday on ordinary pay for each year of employment) as may from time to time be approved by the Minister.

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