PREFERENCE. IN FAVOUR OF ARBITRATIONISTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1914, Page 4

PREFERENCE. IN FAVOUR OF ARBITRATIONISTS.

Mr. TJ. L. ; Nathan moved : "That the resolution passed on the 17th December, }.913j to the effect, viz., 'That all , casual wharf labourers who have joined the new Arbitration union on or before Bth December, 1913, and who have worked for -the board, shall continue to be offered preference of employment after the strike is over, if, in the opinion of the wharfinger and labour foreman, they are satisfactory workers and of good character. And that all additional wharf labourers put on from this date must produce evidence that' they are members of the Arbitration union and of. good character,' be rescinded, and in lieu thereof the following be substituted : 'That the board's labour foreman be inatructed that all member* of the Waterside Workers' , Union £ho joined the unioa before Sfch

•f December, 1913, must be given preference of employment, if, in the opinion of the wharfinger and labour foreman, they are of good character and satisfactory workers, even though they did not actually work for the board before 9th December, 1913. And that all additional wharf labourers employed from this date must produce evidence that they are members of the Arbitration union.' " Speaking to the motion, Mr. Nathan said the desire of the board as to the employment of Arbitrationists had not been carried out, and it was the object of his motion to rectify the oversight. Mr. M'Farlane seconded the motion. Mr. Hindmarsh thought it should be the object of the board to put an end to the friction that had existed, and not to accentuate the trouble. Winter was coming on, work was getting scarcer, and there was no need to drive out anybody, seeing the men are now get'oing on well together. The Chairman said he hoped the motion would be thrown out. The board's resolution had been faithfully carried out, amicable relations had been established on the wharf, and the shipping companies were desirous of being relieved of their responsibilities. Half the men who came from the country to load the ships had gone back home. After discussion the motion was lost, ■by 8 votes to 5.