Numb. 61

1777

Noted 26/9/50

LAND & DEEDS OFFICE
6 SEP 1950
GISEBORNE

NEW ZEALAND

SUPPLEMENT

TO THE

NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

OF

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1950

Published by Authority

WELLINGTON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1950

Royal Commission to Inquire Into and Report Upon the Waterfront Industry

GEORGE THE SIXTH by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Defender of the Faith :

To Our Trusty and Well-beloved SIR ROBERT KENNEDY, of Dunedin, lately a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, THOMAS BLOODWORTH, of Auckland, Member of the Legislative Council, and JAMES SAVERS, of Wellington, Retired General Manager of Railways : GREETING :

WHEREAS we have deemed it expedient that a Commission should issue to inquire into the working of the Waterfront Industry in New Zealand, and to examine and report upon proposals that may be made for amending the law in New Zealand and altering the practices and customs current in the said Industry in the public interest :

Now know ye that We, reposing trust and confidence in your impartiality, integrity, and ability, do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint you, the said

Sir Robert Kennedy
Thomas Bloodworth, and
James Savers

to be a Commission to inquire into and report upon all aspects of the Waterfront Industry in New Zealand and all matters connected therewith and in particular but without in any way limiting the scope of the inquiry and your powers relating thereto to inquire into and report on the following matters—

1. The adequacy and efficiency of the facilities provided at the various ports throughout New Zealand for the working of cargo with particular reference to—

(a) The adequacy, efficiency, and suitability of existing wharf berthage space, shed accommodation, mechanical wharf equipment, and methods of working cargo for the present and immediate future.

(b) The provision of facilities and amenities for waterside workers and other workers connected with the waterfront industry including the suitability and sufficiency of those now provided and your opinion as to the persons by whom and the means by which there should be provided such additional facilities and amenities as may be found by you to be required.

(c) The efficiency of the measures taken for the prevention of accident the provision of first-aid facilities and generally safeguarding the safety and health of waterside workers and other workers connected with the waterfront industry.

2. The adequacy of the labour force now available to cope with the waterfront work which is now offering including—

(a) The adequacy of the present membership of the New Zealand Waterside Worker’s Union to handle the volume of cargo passing through each port and the variation between the nominal membership of the Union and its effective membership.

(b) The justification for and effect of imposing a limitation on membership of the various branches of the New Zealand Waterside Worker’s Union.

(c) The availability and use of non-union labour.

(d) The allocation of labour to various ships including particularly its allocation as between coastal and overseas ships.

3. The conditions of employment of all waterside workers including—

(a) The rates of remuneration including any allowance for skill.

(b) The application of the guaranteed wage as defined in clause 51 of the Main Order of the Commission dated 6th June, 1940, to all ports.

(c) The provision of additional payments in respect of work which is dirty or is otherwise specially dangerous or unpleasant.

(d) The desirability of the continuation or extension of the present system of co-operative contracting or of the institution of some other system providing for payment by results.

(e) The desirability of providing for the engagement of labour on a permanent or semi-permanent basis instead of the present casual basis.

(f) The efficiency of the Bureau system of engagement of labour; the imposition of Bureau penalties; the desirability of introducing a gang system for the engagement of labour.

(g) The hours of work and the desirability and practicability of introducing a shift system.

(h) The desirability of and necessity for providing reasonable “rest” or “smoko” periods and the present “spelling” practice.