WHARF DELAYS
Government Concern At Position “A GRAVE PROBLEM” Cabinet Committee Making Inquiries Although members of the Government arq greatly disturbed at the frequent recurrence of troubles concerning waterside work in New Zealand ports, no legislative action to meet . tlie position is contemplated this session. In view of the delays to shipping at Napier and Greymouth, both the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, and the Minister of Labour, Hon. H. T. Armstrong, were asked yesterday to comment on the matter, and their replies were to the effect that the Government was contemplating taking action to prevent future troubles. “We cannot tolerate the present position,” said Mr. Armstrong. “If the watersiders have not got the common sense to settle their difficulties themselves, the Government will deal with the matter. I am not discussing individual rights and wrongs In any particular dispute, but the fact remains that there is a provision in the current agreement for the settlement of disputes without any stoppage of work. If the union cannot control its men on the waterfront we will fiiMl another organisation to do it. No Government cair tolerate this sort of thing any longer; it is inexcusable.” The Prime Minister agreed that frequent delays on the waterfront constituted a grave problem. Any hold up in the loading of produce was a serious matter. A sub-committee of the Cabinet had been appointed to consider the best method of dealing with the position and the advisability of appointing some competent tribunal to make a thorough investigation. However, that sub-committee had not yet reported to the Government. “If action is required it will be taken,” the Prime Minister said. “I do not say that the waterside workers are entirely to blame. There are interests in this country which would stop at nothing in attempts to discredit and embarrass the Government. As it is, we have had fewer troubles with the watersiders than have been experienced by previous Governments."
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Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 141, 11 March 1938, Page 10
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324WHARF DELAYS Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 141, 11 March 1938, Page 10
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