WATERSIDERS AND INDONESIA

Evening Star, Issue 25745, 19 March 1946, Page 4

WATERSIDERS AND INDONESIA

REFUSAL TO LOAD SHIPS UNION SECRETARY'S REPLY TO DUTCH CONSUL-GENERAL (P.A.) WELLINGTON. March 19. Mr T. Hill, secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Association, has replied to the statement of the Netherlands Consul-General, Dr Panhuys, concerning the refusal of the watersiders to load Dutch ships for Indonesia in which he said a small quantity of arms and ammunition aboard a mercy ship was for police purposes. Mr Hill said they were removed from the ship firstly on the demand of the watersiders, and secondly on the insistence of the Australian Government. The watersiders and .people of New Zealand would be interested to know what duty there could be for police aboard a mercy ship. Referring to the Dutch Government refusal to allow union representatives to accompany the ship, Mr Hill said facilities had been granted to two members of the Queensland Parliament, who had reported somewhat favourably to the Dutch Government. If union representatives had been allowed to view the situation in Java, they might report similarly or otherwise, but as long as the union’s request was refused, there would be doubt in their minds. Among cargoes waiting to go to Indonesia were G,700 tons of cement, 1,000 motor trucks, 450 small craft. Who would say these would contribute to tho relief of starvation? The Dutch Government seemed to be at variance with the Dutch trade union movement, which was in full support of Indonesian independence. Mr Hill said the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Unions’ decision of October still stood, and would until representatives of the unions concerned were given facilities to view the position m Java. The attitude of the Dutch Government towards the trade unions of Australia could only lead them to the belief that shipments of any cargo would be used in the interests of the Dutch Government against the Indonesians.