WATERSIDE WORKERS. THE TROUBLE AT PATEA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19, 24 January 1911, Page 7

WATERSIDE WORKERS. THE TROUBLE AT PATEA.

Speaking to a Post representative on the subject of the wharf labourers' dispute at Patea, Mr. D. M'Laren, M.P., said it seemed to be thought unreasonable that the union should wait until the Arbitration Court had settled the terms. Recent experiences with tnt> Arbitration Court had weakened the confidence which the workers in general should have in the court's findings. "The existence of this dispute," hs added, "shows me that if our arbitration laws are to be more effective for good there will have to be provision made for prompt conciliation and arbitration, on the ground where the dispute arises, instead of having to wait for the cumbrous procedure that we now have." Mr. 'M'Laren added that he ad3ressed a full meeting of the union last week, and found tha men a very quiet but determined body. They admitted that initial mistakes had been made, but from independent investigation he was satisfied that "those mistakes were on both sides. "But that," he said, "does not deal with the crux of the matter, which is the men's claim for 2s 6d an hour overtime. The highest" wage that the employers have been able to show that any man at Ihe port earned in a year is £5111. and that was earned by a man who was in the position of head man or foreman for the Patea Company. 1 am inclined to think that the employers themselves will soon recognise that the earnings of the men have not been sufficient in comparison with what workmen are receiving now throughout the Dominion. I will endeavour to confer with the heads ox the shipping companies here, and if any understanding can be arrived at the secretary of the Patea Union will be ready to come to Wellington and settle the agreement on behalf of his union.