No ban yet at Timaru

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33435, 17 January 1974, Page 3

No ban yet at Timaru

Xcw Zealand Prrsx Association) 11 MARI , January 16. I he han on the port of Timaru by the Storemen and Packers' I nion would not be imposed immediately. the union’s research officer. Mr M. 1). Butler, said from Wellington today.

At the earliest, it would begin next week, but it could be February 1 before the ban started, he said. He rejected suggestions that the ban would not be imposed. “Only if the watersiders lift the ban on the South Canterbury cool stores will our ban be called off,” Mr Butler said. Practically all goods going through the port would be affected by the ban. he said. These included seeds and grain, cool store products, and wool, as well as any miscellaneous goods discharged at the port. Petroleum products might also be included in the ban. but Mr Butler said that at this stage it was likely these would be exempt. He confirmed that thegeneral secretary of the Storeman and Packers' Union (Mr P. J. Mansor) will be in Timaru on Friday for talks with workers at the South Canterbury Co-operative Cool Stores. Mr Mansor will arrive in Christchurch tomorrow for discussions there on the ban. The question of including petroleum products in the han will also be discussed. Mr Mansor will arrive in Timaru tomorrow morning and will spend about, five hours in the city before flying back to Wellington. Details of the meetings he will have in Timaru will be arranged in Christchurch tomorrow, but he will definitely meet the cool store workers. Mr Butler said the water-

siders’ ban on the cool stores would have to be lifted before negotiations with the Timaru Harbour Board and the Timaru Waterside Workers' Union could start Commenting on the decision not to impose the ban immediately. Mr Butler said the Storemen and Packers’ Union wanted to allow shippers time to make diversions awav from Timaru. "We want to minimise the effects of the ban on the public,’’ he said. Meanwhile, the M.P for Timaru (Sir Basil Arthur) is (continuing his informal discussions with local parties connected with the proposed ban. He said he was hopeful rather than confident that he could obtain an agreement with the harbour board, the watersiders. and the cool store workers to keep the iport open. Sir Basil Arthur said he (would not meet Mr Mansor tomorrow unless the union secretary asked for a meeting. “I don't go out of my way Io meei someone who threatens to place a ban on our port. But I will see him if he wishes,” Sir Basil! Arthur said. Sir Basil Arthur spoke to the Minister of Labour (Mr Watt) today, but. he said, their discussions on the situation would remain' private.