WATERSIDE DISPUTE

Evening Star, Issue 23099, 27 October 1938, Page 17

WATERSIDE DISPUTE

ANOTHER HOLD-UP [Per United Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Oct. 26. The loading of the Federal liner Middlesex at New Plymouth to-day ceased shortly after ? p.m. and was not resumed, about 70 men ceasing work for the day. Both the Waterside Workers Union and the Union Steam Ship Company, agent for the Federal Line, declined to give any information about the dispute, but it was stated on the wharves that it arose from the pay of the carpenters employed in the hold of the vessel. It could not be established to-night that work would be resumed to-morrow, but from the guarded references of union officials it was gathered that it would be. Prom the comments of the waterside workers the impression was given that the men regarded the dispute as in no way serious.

After a meeting of the Disputes Committee late in the afternoon Mr S. Flood, secretary of the union, said he thought the matter had been settled He would not state what the matter at issue was nor what the decision of the committee had been, but his attitude suggested that the union’s interpretation of the award had been substantially accepted. He did, however, support the statement of some of the men that the matter was not a large one.

Mr W. G. Mander. New Plymouth manager of the Union Company, stated at first that he could not say anything until he had been in touch with Wellington. Later he stated that any information that was available would be released at Wellington. There were rumours at the port that the dispute, though only of a minor nature, might have more important repercussions, but these could not be substantiated.