Suva Wharf Labor
p. 144 · Read in the full issue
Muddle
Not Yet Settled
(Prom Our Own Correspondent) SOMETHING seems to have c: unstuck in the new system wharf-1 abo u r certificates? regularise the employment situai on the Suva waterfront.
The idea was to end a more less haphazard scheme, under wh for example, youths in trouble y the law could use wharf empc ment as an alibi of sorts to cc their presence in Suva.
Many Fijian youths before courts on theft or other chaj have said that they worked at wharves whereas the truth that they might, have worked week in four, or less.
Through the District Comn sioner’s office, the Government issued certificates to casual wl workers. Unfortunately, II certificates were handed out toe and sundry.
While youths in regular empi ment elsewhere, but who occasional wharf work at night at week-ends, have been gi tickets, many men who live sac by wharf work are without the This unjust situation could h been avoided if the waterside un had been permitted to check applicants, or if permanent whs workers had been given their tic! first.
IT has been suggested to the G eminent that two classes certificates should be issued— “A” certificate for regular worH and a “B” ticket for casual lab« A wharf labour executive has s that on a recent Tofua call tW was insufficient labour for daytd requirements—an indication tt many casuals are employed ei where during the day.
It must be generally conce? that, in order to build up a fo of more or less permanent labo A class men should have preferee for week-end overtime.
Six hundred men are required a London ship and 400 for an Ay tralian cargo-ship, and it is ell that there is plenty of room casuals and village-gangs.
If only those who are fully • titled to hold tickets received the, the system would provide a us© check on youths who follow drift to Suva at the cost of a i days’ work at the wharves oc when necessity drives. t The Apia Turf Club’s Eas Monday meeting drew only a sm attendance despite perfect weatll The main event, the Easter Hanr cap, was won by an outsider, I L. G. Fruean’s Bright Jewel, ones six imported horses in the rs