THE MOUNTPARK TRIBUNAL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25553, 22 July 1948, Page 4

THE MOUNTPARK TRIBUNAL

QUESTION ASKED IN HOUSE MR SHEAT OBJECTS TO COMMUNISTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON. July 21. An assurance that in appointing the tribunal to deal with the Mountpark dispute he would not approve the nomination of any person who was knpwn to be a Communist was sought ’ from the Minister of Labour (Mr A A McLagan) by Mr W. A. Sheat (Opposition, Pa tea) in a notice of question in the House of Representatives to* day. [The only nominations so far nounced are those of Messrs A. DreilfL nan and T. Hill by the Waterside , Workers’ Union.] Mr A. S. Sutherland (Opposition, Hauraki), in another notice of question to the Minister, asked him to state what action he proposed to take in tM$ unloading of sugar from the ship Broompark. The ship was now idte>; on account of threatened stability be-'*’ cause of the refusal of members of ths"" Waterside Workers’ Union to remove hatch covers, said Mr Sutherland. $ Vfhad been reliably stated that regular non-union waterfront workers, who had not been employed for several weeks, would welcome the chance to remove hatch covers from the Broom-, park. In a written answer to Mr W. G. Goosman (Opposition, Piako), who had asked what penalties were being imposed on Auckland watersiders who had taken illegal action, the PrimtMinister (Mr P. Fraser) said th# Waterfront Industrv Commission wafi empowered to take the action it i thought fit to deal with misconduct or refusal to comply with its reasonable directions. Under bureau rules, work-' ers failing to accept engagement ofc* dismissed by employers could have wotk withheld from them for a period during which they did not qualify for the guaranteed wage. The commission had imposed such penalties and the benefit of the guaranteed wage had been withdrawn from the port of * Auckland. Mr Fraser added: “Members of the Waterside Workers’ Union in Auckland who are refusing employment are guilty of a breach of the Strike and Lockout Emergency Regulations, and. are liable to the penalties provided in the Emergency Regulations Act. The Government will decide the action to be taken.”

TERMS OF ORDER OF REFERENCE BROOMPARK’S HATCHES INCLUDED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 21. The order of reference for tn® Mountpark waterfront dispute tribunal was disclosed to-day. The union’s case will be conducted by the national/ president (Mr H. Barnes, of Auckland). The Waterfront Industry Commission rwill be represented by Mr T. P. Gleary, of Wellington, and tne Waterside Employers’ Association oy Mr C. A. Hamer, of Auckland. Summarised, the order of reference (1) Were the Mountpark hatches safe to remove by hand on February 20 and subsequent days, having regard to tfie letter of February 13 from tne Government Inspector of Waterside Gear at Auckland and all other Levant considerations? Was the Union Steam Ship Company justified in dismissing the men employed? If not, what payment should be made to tne men dismissed? If the men were nov properly placed on penalty, what pay* ments should be made to them?, b (2) Was the Waterfront Industry Commission’s decision of February 25 a proper decision? Were the men entitled to refuse resumption of work m accordance with that decision on subsequent days? , (3) Were the men entitled to refuse to move the Mountpark’s hatches on May 20 without mechanical assistance? (4) Was the Waterfront Industry Commission justified in deciding on June 24 that the Mountpark be made a preference ship? If not, what payment should be made to the watersiders who would otherwise have been offered employment? (5) Was the dismissal of the men from the Broompark on June 30 justifled? If not, what payments should be made to the men dismissed ana placed on penalty? „ The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer), answering Mr R. M. Algie (Opposition. Remuera). said the Mountoark was under charter to the Union Steam Ship Company from the Denholm Line. London, but by arrangement with the New Zealand Government, any profit °r loss on the ©Deration of this charter was to Government account. The vessel was on a six months’ time charter, expiring at the end of October. demurrage was payable for days on which the shin was not worked. Mr Nordmeyer said the charter rate , for the Mountpark was 2“s 9d steruns a dccdwe'ght ton fo v 20 dav’,. or £ (N.Z.)463 a day for 9770 tons. FrciSß* earnings were credited against, outgoings incurred in operating expenses and charter moneys.