REGULATIONS FOR EMERGENCY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26363, 6 March 1951, Page 6

REGULATIONS FOR EMERGENCY

MINISTER’S DEFENCE

“NOT MEANT AS THREAT AGAINST UNIONISM”

(New Zealand Press Association} WELLINGTON, March 5. "Contrary to statements and propaganda used by some people, the emergency regulations are not in any way intended to be used as a threat against trade unionism, nor are they aimed at breaking) the 40-hour week and the host of other terms and conditions of work that have been established by conciliation and arbitration," said the Minister of Labour (Mr W. Sullivan) this afternoon. “I wish to state this dearly to trade unionists throughout the country. ‘‘The emergency is forced upon us all by the action of the watersiders. The emergency regulations are necessary to meet that emergency, and will be used only against those who support the strike. I repeat that there is no intention to show other than consideration and respect for members of the free trade unions not affected by the decisions of the leaders of the present hold-up. "I am certain that the spate of propaganda aimed critically at the Government is intended to cause unthinking people to have doubts as to the Government's integrity and judgment in declaring a state of emergency. Our people jpust have food and other necessaries, and the Government must do all in its power to see that they get them. The British people need our foodstuffs desperately, we Intend to see feat everything possible la done to ensure that they get them. Grievous damage has already been done to the food life-line of our British kinsmen. Some hardship has resulted to New Zealand folk. “It was and is the Government’s job to try to prevent that damage and ease that hardship. We know we have the good will of the overwhelming majority of our people.” Needless waterfront stoppages and disputes in recent years tilled volumes, and had harmed and sickened the people, the Minister added. The time had come to end them.