STATEMENT BY NATIONAL SECRETARY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 121, 17 February 1944, Page 4

STATEMENT BY NATIONAL SECRETARY

In a statement made yesterday by }L". T. M Hill, national secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union, said that he was of opinion that work on the Aucsland waterfront would cease completely by tomorrow. , The position at Auckland, said MrHill, was that the. Waterfront Control Commission had declared the ship on which the gangway dispute had occurred to be a preference ship. ‘The result is that the only union labour working in. the port of Auckland is labour that hau been engaged prior to the dispute, he said. “These men. on finishing their job would automatically be called for the ship in dispute and would naturally refuse to accept engagement, aud it appears that the port, will be completely idle before the end of the week. “A suggestion has been made, that ,a complete investigation be made into the cause of the action of the commission at Auckland, and in view of the fact that Captain Stanich -has stated that it was an excellent suggestion, I feel that tne sooner a tribunal is set up to investigate the cause of the dispute at Auckland tae better it would be for all concerned. Tae conditions of work on the waterfront have only been obtained as a result of many years of struggle and sacrifice by members of the organization. These conditious the men cherish, and feel tuat they are not disposed to take action which would endanger their conditions. The safety regulations were only obtained after many years of agitation, and the waterside workers have always been determined to protect their lises and limbs. It is regrettable that stoppages take place, and the policy of the union has been to do everything in their power to maintain the smooth working of the industry, and I feel that a complete investigation into the working of the port of Auckland should be made by a competent tribunal. The Auckland brain.n has suggested this tribunal, and the representatives of the Waterfront Control Commission have stated that such a tribunal should be set up. Then botn parties should be able to state their grievances, and I feel that the deliberations of such an investigation would result in the restoration of harmony on the waterfront.” .