WAIKATO HYDRO STRIKE UNION’S DISCUSSIONS WITH CABINET

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25444, 16 March 1948, Page 6

WAIKATO HYDRO STRIKE

UNION’S DISCUSSIONS WITH CABINET

REPLY TO ALLEGATIONS ABOUT BALLOT

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 15. The strike of nearly 900 men on the three major power schemes, in the Central Waikato is under discussion between the New Zealand Workers’ Union and the Government, and will probably be considered by the Cabinet on Wednesday. The management committee of the union has been sumanoned to a special meeting in Wellington beginning also on Wednesday. Legal action is being considered by a section of 'the workers in an attempt to upset the motion for the strike, which was carried by a narrow majority. / ' . , There have been allegations that indirect intimidation was. used in relation to the voting, and that full secrecy in voting was not possible “because there was no booth in which to mark the ballot paper.” ' ■ Another allegation is that some officials congregated round the table while the men marked the papers. It is alleged that the ballot closed too soon and that every man did not record his vote.

Union Secretary’s Statement The national secretary of the union (Mr Carl Hair) said to-day that the union hath appealed to members in local branches throughout the country to give financial help to the- men on strike in the Waikato. Answering allegations concerning the poll taken at Mangakino, Mr Hair said every precaution was taken to see that all men were notified of the ballot and given opportunity to-vote. He said 650 men were at the meeting when it was decided to hold a poll and subsequently elaborate steps were taken to inform all the others. Transport was put on to bring men in to the poll from more distant places. Polling facilities were taken to sick men at their bedsides. All buses coming through were met and any eligible voters informed of the poll. It could not be denied that members were given ample opportunity to record their votes. Although there was no actual booth, the men had ample opportunity in the hail for full secrecy in recording their votes, said Mr Hair. The returning officer was a Justice of the Peace. Of about 850 eligible to vote, more than 700 did so.