FOODSTUFFS PERISHING

Evening Star, Issue 25618, 19 October 1945, Page 8

FOODSTUFFS PERISHING

AUCKLAND WATERFRONT HOLD-UP

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION URGED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, October 18. Dissatisfaction with the Government's reply to the Auckland Grain and Produce Merchants’ Association’s request for action to have ‘2,000 toils of potatoes unloaded from three ships in Auckland on which work is being held up through labour troubles was expressed in a further telegram from the association to-day. The association, which made its request on Tuesday, pointed out that the potatoes, which were for table and seed use, were required urgently, and that a heavy loss would result if they were allowed to deteriorate in the holds of the ships. The reply from the Acting Prime Minister, Mr Nash, which was received yesterday, said the matter was under discussion with the Minister of Labour, Mr O’Brien, and the Waterfront Control Commission with a view to the earliest possible resumption of the normal working of the ships. “ Your reply is quite unsatisfactory,” said the telegram sent by the association to-day. “ Surely your Government is strong enough to see that perishable foodstuffs will not be allowed to rot in ships’ holds. Please reply urgently.” One merchant’s truck waited on the wharf all this afternoon and obtained one sack of potatoes. Another obtained seven.

TRADES COUNCIL SUPPORTS WATERSIDERS. Government intervention in the dispute on the Auckland .waterfront is ueing sought by the Auckland Trades Council. A resolution supporting the Waterside Workers’ Union in its actions in connection with the Denbighshire dispute, and also in connection with its outstanding grievances, was contained in a resolution carried at the monthly meeting of the council tonight. The resolution, which will be forwarded to the Acting Minister of Labour, Mr O’Brien, is as follows: “ This Trades Council endorses and supports the action of the Waterside Workers’ Union in the Denbighshire dispute. We also support its action over its outstanding grievances, and re-

quest the Government to convene a conference in Auckland immediately to settle the union’s claims.” This resolution represented the feeling of the trades in Auckland covered by the Federation of Labour, said the secretary of the Trades Council, Mr Ashton, following the meeting. GO-SLOW CONTINUED. The net wages paid to the 134 waterside workers who have been going slow on the Glen Line vessel Denbighshire since early last week ranged from 2s 9d to 15s 9d each for. a whole week. The wages of the other workers who have adopted a similar policy on all - other ships since last Tuesday will not be affected until next pay day. The “ go slow ” continued to-day. Shipping companies and other employers are not directly involved in the dispute, which is between the Waterfront Control Commission and the union. “ I have been directed to say that Mr H. Barnes, president of the union, is endeavouring to cloud the main issue by introducing other matters that were being dealt with by the National Executive of his union,” said the Auckland. waterfront controller, Mr W. J. Cuthbert, to-night. “In the Denbighshire case no attempt was made to refer the dispute to the local Disputes Committee, the stoppage of work taking place before this office had any knowledge of the dispute. _ “ I endeavoured to adiust the matter, however, as it was obvious that it had resolved itself into li conflict between the Foremen’s Union and the Waterside Workers’ Union,” Mr Cuthbert added, “ but the attitude adopted bv Mr Barnes towards the Foremen’s Union prevented a satisfactory adjustment of the position.”