RESPONSE FROM WATERSIDERS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26395, 13 April 1951, Page 6

RESPONSE FROM WATERSIDERS

RETURN OF CARDS FOR REGISTRATION

“NOT AS GOOD AS EXPECTED ”

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 12.

The Minister of Labour (Mr W. Sullivan) said to-day that the response from watersiders to the appeal to complete their registration cards was not as good as the Government expected. Quite a number of applications had been received at all ports and more were coming to hand each day. “To avoid victimisation it is not proposed at this stage to announce details of the numbers of registrations at each port,” said Mr Sullivan. “Sufficient applications have not yet been received at any one port to justify a return to work although in a number of ports there are more than sufficient workers to form new unions. “One feature is the large number of applications that have been made by persons other than members of the deregistered union, particularly from non-union waterside workers who are anxious to complete registration cards. This is particularly encouraging as applications have not yet been invited from this type of worker. The department has taken the names and addresses of these persons so that cards can be sent to them at a later date.” Mr Sullivan repeated his warning to members of the deregistered union that this might be their last opportunity to return to regular employment on the waterfront. He appealed to each man to make up his own mind on the subject and not be influenced by threats of victimisation by discredited union officials.