[?]raise for Suva’s Wharf

Labourers [?]ob-an-hour Anachronisms

Prom Our Own Correspondent

Suva. Nov. 5

IUVA’S Fijian watersiders are ) patted on the back by the District Commissioner.

Duthern (Mr. J. W. Sykes) in his mual report. Stevedoring labour t the Suva Wharf, the report ates, “maintained its high stan ard of performance/' In a strike-happy world, the Suva harfies very seldom get the praise lat is their due. And they get only fraction of the wages lavished on rerseas wharfies although since ovember 15, members of the Fiji tevedores’ Union get a 15 per cent, icrease in pay,' with certain other inor concessions. The old rate was '2 a shift of ten hours with hot teals and free accommodation if squired.

When the union secretary (I. N. aveta) announced the increase on ovember 3 he expressed his organ ation’s thanks to the employers >r their co-operation at the con rence that preceded.the wage in ease.

There is a standing force of 150 atersiders permanently on call at iva, or in the nearby Fijian llages. At rush periods additional en are recruited, and this practice, as produced a showdown with the rovincial Councils of Rewa and ailevu.

The men employed as recruiters ave frequently disregarded in ructions and an unwritten agree ent by which the employers un- Jrtake to consult the Roko of a rovince before additional labour recruited. At times villages have ?en almost denuded of manpower ithout reference to the provincial ithorities. This has resulted in a •owing agitation for legislation to mtrol the recruitment of steve 3ring labour.