TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1978
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BOARD OF INVESTIGATION
TO PROBE SHIP COLLISION
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THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAS APPOINTED A BOARD OF INVESTIGATION UNDER THE PILOTAGE ORDINANCE TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THE COLLISION BETWEEN THE AMERICAN VESSEL +PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT+ AND THE THA I SHIP +CHAMNARN SAMUT IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR ON MARCH 27.
THE BOARD WILL BE CHAIRED BY MR. KENNETH MOK, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WITH TWO OTHER MEMBERS -- CAPTAIN M.D. BURBIDGE AND CAPTAIN A.R. DAVIDSON FROM THE SHIPPING CIRCLE.
BOTH
IT WILL HOLD SITTINGS AT ROOM 149, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING, ON JUNE 15, 16, 27 AND 29. AT THE END OF THE INVESTIGATION, THE BOARD WILL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WHO IS ALSO THE PILOTAGE AUTHORITY.
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE EVENING OF MARCH 27 WHEN THE +PRES IDENT ROOSEVELT+ WAS LEAVING THE PORT AND THE +CHAMNARN SAMUT+ WAS ENTERING. IN THE ACCIDENT, ONE SEAMAN WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED, BOTH FROM THE THAI SHIP WHICH ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE.
ON THE DAY FOLLOWING THE COLLISION, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE APPOINTED CAPTAIN JOHN MAYO, SENIOR SURVEYOR OF SHIPS TO CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE ACCIDENT.
THREE WAYS TO ACHIEVE LABOUR-MANAGEMENT HARMONY
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THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR. TSUI TIM-FOOK, SAID THE MAIN CAUSE OF CONTENTION BETWEEN LABOUR AND MANAGEMENT WAS GENERALLY DUE TO THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER'S DIFFICULTIES, NEEDS, ASPIRATIONS, STRENGTH AND WEAKNESSES.
HE OFFERED THREE MAIN SUGGESTIONS FOR ACHIEVING LABOUR- MANAGEMENT CO-OPERATION DURING A LUNCHEON TALK TODAY AT THE LIONS CLUB OF LION ROCK - THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION CHANNEL BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES, THE SETTING UP OF AN EFFECTIVE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT, AND BEING CONVERSANT WITH LABOUR LAWS.
REFERRING TO HIS FIRST SUGGESTION, MR. TSUI SAID THE ESTABLISH- MENT OF A FORMAL JOINT-CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY WAS VERY SUITABLE TO LARGE SOPHISTICATED ORGANISATIONS WITH RELATIVELY LOW LABOUR MOBILITY.
FOR SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS, HOWEVER, INFORMAL JOINT CONSULTATION, SUCH AS AD HOC DISCUSSIONS OR BRIEFING SESSIONS, ATTENDED BY EMPLOYEES' REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE.