Order Set For Mr Woods

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32343, 8 July 1970, Page 1

Order Set For Mr Woods

(N.Z. Pres* Association) WELLINGTON, July 7. The Cook Strait ferry conciliator, Mr N. S. Woods, is charged with determining “the action to be taken by the parties to terminate the dispute and enable the ships involved to sail.” The order of reference, said by the Acting Prime Minister (Mr Shelton) to have been agreed on by the parties, outlines the history of the dispute—the dismissal of seamen by the master of the Aranui, the refusal to re-engage these same seamen by the master of the Aramoana, and the subsequent failure of a sufficient number of seamen to offer themselves for employment on either ship. “You are hereby appointed,” the order of reference tells Mr Woods, “to be a conciliator for the purpose of considering and determining the following questions arising out of the dispute:— “Were the men who offered for engagement on June 22 doing so in accordance with the terms of agreement between the Seamen’s Union, the Shipowners’ Federation and the Marine Department of May 14, covering the terms of engagement of seamen?

"Subject to these terms of reference, is a master justified in refusing to fill vacancies resulting from the dismissal of deck and engine-room ratings for offences against the Shipping and Seamen Act with the same ratings so dismissed?

“Were the men dismissed properly entered on the ship’s articles and, if not, who was responsible for the omission? “In the light of your findings on the above questions and any others you consider relevant, what is your decision as to the action to be taken by the parties to terminate the dispute and enable the ships involved to sail?"