M.P. and union ‘in cahoots’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33460, 15 February 1974, Page 1

M.P. and union ‘in cahoots’

. (New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 14. The Government had done nothing about the Timaru container dispute be-

cause of political pressure from the

Timaru Waterside Workers’ Union, Mr R. L. G. Talbot (Nat., South

Canterbury) said during the Address-in-Reply debate in Parliament tonight.

Mr Talbot criticised waterside unions, and their handling of container disputes,

saying the seven-month Timaru dispute was “potentially dangerous” for all ports, and involved the local M.P., Sir Basil Arthur, who is also Minister of Transport. “No action has been taken by the Government to insist that the ban be lifted so that this problem can go to arbitration,” said Mr Talbot. “The local problem is that the Labour Party in Timaru is influenced by political pressure from the Waterside Workers’ Union, whose chairman is in cahoots with the member for Timaru. This cannot be denied. “Cool-store workers are prepared to go to the Arbitration Court if the ban is lifted unconditionally. Nothing could be fairer. But the Waterside Workers’ Union is endeavouring to push cool store workers aside, and dictate its own terms. “The findings of the Royal Commission on container handling had been pushed aside.

“The Labour Government may be the friend of the disruptive and dissident groups in the trade union movement — particularly in the Waterside Workers’ Union — but is certainly not the friend of the average New Zealander, who detests the ridiculous and costly rules under which the wharfies in many cases do only half a day’s work for one day’s pay,” Mr Talbot said.