WATERSIDERS AT AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26813, 19 August 1952, Page 8

WATERSIDERS AT AUCKLAND

MEMBERSHIP BAN LIFTED DEREGISTERED MEN MAY BE ADMITTED (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 18 Auckland cargo workers to-day lifted the ban on deregistered watersiders that has existed since early last year. A large attendance approved the executive committee’s recommendation that the ban had outlived its usefulness. The union announced that the resolution debarring former members of the deregistered waterside union was rescinded by an overwhelming majority. There was at attendance of more than 1000 and the meeting lasted an hour. The move was decided on a show of hands, though earlier there had been suggestions that a secret ballot should be held. It is believed that it will be some months before any new applicants can be admitted. There is already a waiting list of men who have been approved for wharf work, and few vacancies are occurring in the union.

In July, 1951. the deregistered union put before the Port Employers’ Association the names of 1500 men who wanted to return to the waterfront. but the time the Government had given the men to return had expired. Since then a number of former watersiders have applied individually, and another 200 names were put in in a group. An employers’ representative said to-day he thought fresh applications would be necessary as a result of the cargo workers’ action. Mr R. Freeland, president of the Combined Waterfront Organisation, commented:—“We are naturally pleased that the ban has been lifted, and we hope now for an end to the unfortunate agitation from some quarters and to the friction that has arisen between the cargo workers and other unions.” Mr T. Anderson, president of the Auckland Trades Council, said that it was a very satisfactory decision and opened the way for much better relations.