WHARF DISPUTE NOW SETTLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 291, 8 December 1937, Page 8

WHARF DISPUTE NOW SETT LED.

ALL SHIPS MANNED

AGREEMENT REACHED

BUREAU MEETING TO-DAY.

" SATISFACTORY TERMS."

The labour dispute on the Auckland waterfront was settled thin morning and *11 labour available, comprising some 1(100 unionists and lion-unionists, began work on all ships in povt at 1 o'clock.

The terms under which -work was resumed, as stated by Captain R. S. Lewi*, chairman of the Port of Auckland Whipping and Stevedores' Association, are: -

(1) That the bureau man the Waiana forthwith; (2) after the engagement f or the Waiana has been accepted all other ships to be manned immediately; (3) the five men who attended the Waiana on Thursday night and also the four men who asked for leave of absence be included in the general engagement; (4) the Bureau Control Board to m'eet at 1.30 p.m. to consider the position now that the work has been resumed.

Mr. T. Solomon, president of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union, declared that an agreement satisfactory to both sides had been 'reached, adding thiit a further statement would probably bo made after this afternoon's meeting of the control board of the bureau. Mr. James Roberts, general secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union, declined to comment. Joint Conference Held. A joint eonferenee wa* held at 8.45 this morning between Mr. Roberta, who arrived by the early train from the South, Mr. Solomon, Mr. R. Jones, vicepresident of the union, Mr,. W. J. Cuthbert, union walking delegate, represent -

ing the workeri, and Captain Lewis, Mr. C. B. V. Wheeler, manager of the Union Steam Ship Company, and Mr. W. H. G. Bennett, general secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Employers' Association. Mr. Bennett arrived yesterday from Wellington. This conference lasted until 10.40, when it was adjoitrncd so that the employers' terms could be submitted to • fall meeting, of the union, for which*a atop-work meeting nad been called. This meeting was held in camera in the union's quarters in the Port of Auckland Building. After Mr. Roberts had addressed the men and the matter had been fully considered, 'the joint conference was resumed, and at 11.5 the engagement boards were hung out at th« waterside' employment bureau, signifying that work was to begin. Immediately the discs appeared oa the boards the men gathered ronnd and answered the call for labour, and though some 1600 men had to be catered for the whole gathering Sad dispersed soon after noon. Labour was first called for the Waiana and after that had been answered promptly a call was made for the other vessels.

Though normally no call may M made after 10 o'clock there Is provision in the rules that under special circumstances the time for the call may be extended. In the original dispute which arose over t.ie Waiana, 123 men were involved. Of that number, only nine were - mentioned In the terms under which work is to be resumed, as being available for engagement. No mention was made of the remaining 114, and it is likely that their position will be considered at the bureau control board meeting thin afternoon.

With only one arrival to-duy, the Wuipiuta, yesterday's position regarding the mini bur of ships concerned is practically unchanged, except that one or two small coastal craft have cleared port after being worked by permanent stuff In hour. Now that the men have resinned it is hoped to have the Port ♦ hiliner* dispatchcd for Great Britnin by this evening. To-morrow the •I■ ipcllcmc vessel Sydney Marti is due to l> i(li nrifl she inny replace the Port ' h:iliiK<i-rt. Also due to-morrow, however, are the Xtinier Star and the timber Attihi. and the intercolonial pniwiirr,.,. vessel nel la, and the islands tender Matua, arc set down tentatively to sail.