TROUBLE AT GISBORNE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 65, 19 March 1925, Page 5

TROUBLE AT GISBORNE

REFUSAL TO WORK A VESSEL.

(BI TSLEQRAPn.—PRE3S ASSOCIATION.)

GISBOENE. This Day.

The waterside workers this morning refused to respond to a call to load barges with cargo for the Port Dennison, which arrived from Waikpkopu, their action allegedly being the result of a communication received last evening from Wellington. The watersiders are reticent as to the reason for the action, and content themselves with the statement that the men are at liberty to work the vessel if they want to. But none of them do. Their attitude, it is stated, is based on an allegation that the Port Dennison was loaded at Waikokopu by non-union labour, but this statement is controverted by a message from Wairoa yesterday, stating that a Waterside Workers' Union had been formed there :

Inquiries made on the arrival of the Port Dennison confirm the statement that non-union labour was not employed at Waikokopu, but tl#t members of the union were engaged at the award rates of pay. Subsequently the executive of the union met Captain West, Marine Superintendent, and announced their willingness 'to work the vessel. Work will be commenced this afternoon.