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""ROAD TWt~~lS~DORT READ~I
FOR BIG
NEWCASTLE MiOVE""
Newcastle iRoad Transport Pool was ready to implem
ent organisation ideveloped during the war to cope with plans
that may be decided on in Sydney to-day to move goods
from Newcastle; said the Secretary (Mr. Kemmis).
Any move to bring 100 wharflabourers to Newcastle
from Brisbane is likely to be opposed by Newcastle branch
of the Watersidb Workers' Federation, and the decision to
admit another 501 local men to membership will probably
be rescinded.
"It is not expected that there
will be any hitcl. in the hand
ling of the many tlnounands nf
tons of freighe offering." said
Mr Kemmis.
Road transport would be supple
mentary to the raileavs, .he said
It would be most effective in thin
emergency over distagees of 200 to
'100 miles
Big Loads by Sea
Vessels operated iby Newcastle aLd
-hinter River Steambship Compony ire
handline the equivaleut to 25 .trin
loads of aoods a week from Syrdney
fn the return voyace they carry a
similar quantiti of' enecastle freiithl
to Sydney. The company's bircel
'eseels "orry 1500 tons on each trip.
The Kindur. which itas diverted to
Coff's Harbour to pick up timber for
housing, is expected to make one trip
tr Newcastle this week:
A shortage of waterfront labour m
Sydney resterdriy delayed departure
of a small vessel. but she w-ill be at
King's Wharf .this moraine to di.i
charce cargo.
The important part being played by
small shi)ps on thIe New South. Waleos
coast emphasised the need for renter
urse of coastal shispinrc. said thp Se,
retary of 'sewcastle Chlamber of Com
merce (AIr Nanearrow) With small
ships. NSewcenstle had maintained a
reoular trade with Sysdney.
Mr. Nancarrow saidrl that small
ships carried a greater load than dr
dinare "oods trains. Some medirmni
sized vessels loaded doable the freicht
hauled by a soods train between
Nesew~clthe and Sydney
"NEWE LABOUR WON'T HELP"
The feeling on Newcastle water
tront yesterday was that introduc
tion of labour from other areas
would not improve the local position.
On the contrary, it would retard it.
Sites are being investigated for a
camp for 100 wharf Iphbourers to be
brought from North Coast ports and
Briabane.
Newcastle wharf labourers propose
holding a stop-work meeting on
August 1i to admit another 50 mem
hers. More thanl 100 applications
have been received; I[f the move to
import 100 labouierc .is proceeded
with. it is .likelyi that notice to
rescind the motion to: increase mem
bership will be tenidered. It is
understood that suchla move would
be supported by nmacy officials.
47,000 Tons Waiting
The shortage of labour on New
castle waterfront. hab been blamed
for the. accumulation' of 37,000. tons
of cargo at the 1B.P'.P. wharf and
more than 10,000 tons at other
wharves.
Representatives of Ithe heavy in
unstries and shipping companies con
tend that 150 more wharf labourers
,,uld mean a quickee turn round of
ships, with a spey reductiosl:.of
aecismuThted caioec? ?
Most of the cargot aivaiting ship
ment is uirgently needed for building
programmes in other States. Thou
eandls of tons of galvanised roofing
iron are at Lysaglhts.
While Newcastld chhorf labourers
worked, on the Sydney waterfront
on many occasiona d!uring the war.
they regard the latest "lend-lease"
labour exchange in a different light.
They feel*that with another 5( niem
bers, the local branch .will be able
to cope with Newcastle waterfront
congestion.
The main objection is that the
proposal 'to admit another 50 mem
hers was adopted as one of three
alternatives to cope with the water
front position. The other two pro
posals were week-end work, or the
importation of 100 wharf labourers
from- other centres.
For years wharf workers have op
posed an increase in membership,
but a fortnight ago agreed to admit
another 50 because of pressure by
the Stevedoring Commission. Wharf
labourers Anticipate a quick return
to when there will he less work on
the waterfront. When that time
comes they do not want to have a
bit membership so that part-time
work will. be necessary.
Representatives of the heavy indus
tries state that they have sufficient
orders on hand to provide full-time
work on the Newcastle- waterfront
for years. They point out that the
introduction of- 150 more waterfront
men. would enable night shifts'to be
worked. and a few weeks of this
would quickly ease thoeq osition.
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