Smell of set-up — Mr Rowling

Press, 25 February 1981, Page 6

Smell of set-up — Mr Rowling

PA . •; Auckland The industrial turmoil .that flared in Auckland yesterday had “the smell of a set-up,” said the leader of . the Opposition (Mr Rowling) last ■evening.’ '-■■ ; '-■ . ■■ SpeaKing at a Labour. Party rally in Auckland; he said he 1 could see no reason for'the ■trouble other than a deliber-l ate provocation. I “The situation was deliberately allowed to accelerate! ;.from a local .’issue on wages! to-; an issue on' basic and! fundamental trade union! principles,” said Mr Row-: ling. . • . I “Whether it was stupidity, I paralysis, or straight-out! political, manoeuvring orii

the part of the Ministry (of Labour,. (Mr Bolger )is unclear.' ’. • .'. ■“The Minister had the time, the opportunity, and the authority to Call the. parties into a compulsory conference,, but he failed to act and one can only ask' why. !lt has the.smell of a set-up,” :Mr Rowling said. I From Invercargill it is reported that factory engineers at the- Ocean Beach, Maka-j rewa, and Alliance freezing; works in Southland .stopped! ■work yesterday in Sympathy! with the Auckland, unionists.! The Alliance works was: forced to work only five ofj its six chains because of the: walk-out by both fitters andj (factory engineers. I