TROUBLE ON THE WHARF

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 130, 2 June 1921, Page 8

TROUBLE ON THE WHARF

CARPENTARIA'S MEN CEASE WORK

WITHOUT TAKING A BALLOT.

■ Owing to neglect to lake a ballot in deciding to cease work, trouble ' was caused among 25 watersiders engaged tin the steamej Carpentaria, berthed at the Taranaki-street Wharf, yesterday afternoon. The men had been engaged by the. Harbour Board, and at 2.45 p.'m: yesterday, owing to rain commencing to fall, the men decided to cease work.

Under the wet weather clause of the waterside workers' agreement, it is provided that the "decision as to knocking off or not commencing work > shall be decided by the majority df the men loading or discharging such vessel." The Harbour Board men employed" on the Carpentaria did not take a ballot, although other watersiders engaged on the ship were willing to continue working. When cargo was put ashore the men who had been engaged by the Harbour Board refused to take it away. Consequently they were dismissed.

Captain A. V. Hale Monro JfiSliei Wharfinger) informed a Post reporter today that a meeting took place this morning between representatives of the. Harbour Board and the men, and it was agreed that the union secretary should explain to the men that they were entirely in the wrong, and that^he (Captain Monro) was perfectly right in dismissing them. ' "This arrangement, was carried out," said Captain Monro, "and the men dismissed from the Carpentaria yes-' terday afternoon ' were reinstated today."