THE GAS STRIKE

Evening Star, Issue 25471, 30 April 1945, Page 8

THE GAS STRIKE

SETTLEEST IS WIS FOR MEM DIRECTION QREER SUSPENDED APPEAL COMMITTEE DECISION FLOUTED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 29. ' The action of the Minister of Man Power, Mr McLagan, and the Acting Minister of Labour, Mr O'Brien, in agreeing to the suspension of direction orders in respect of two Auckland gas workers in order to terminate the strike after the Appeal Committee had upheld the directions, is believed to be without precedent in Auckland, and probably throughout New Zealand. It aroused adverse oomment during the week-end. Mr O'Brien said on Saturday that the terms of settlement of the strike were suggested in the first place by representatives of the Auckland Trades Council. The terms were: (1) That the men return to work; (2) that the Trades' Council make representations to the Minister that the man-power directions of the two men whose case was in dispute be suspended in the meantime; (3) that a committee ■be 6et up to endeavour to put the gas industry in Auckland on a better footing; (4) that in future any disputes arising at the works be handled on the men's behalf by the Auckland Trades Council. Mr O'Brien emphasised that the direction orders against the two men had not been cancelled, but (suspended. The matter was still subject to investigation. " The Trades Council representatives asked, me if I could suspend the directions of the two men concerned," said Mr O'Brien. " I got in touch with the Minister of Man Power in Wellington, and he agreed to the suspension of .the direction." It was suggested to Mr O'Brien that if the directions of the two men could be suspended after their appeals had been dismissed by the Appeal Committee other unsuccessful appellants would have a similar right. " No. I would not say that." ho replied. "Of course, in similar circumstances I would agree. If thero is a case of victimisation the- person would be entitled to make representations. The Government will not allow victimisation. Allegations which did not come before the Appeal Committee have arisen since the hearing. The men are alleging victimisation arid we will have the matter inquired into." [The retort house workers at ihe Auckland gasworks declared a strike on Thursday because the Auckland Industrial Man-power Committee had dismissed the appeals of two of their number who had been directed to other work. When they left the works there was enough gas in the holders to last until midnight. The strike leaders indicated that the men would not return to work until the two directed men had been reinstated.]