Watersiders Defiant

Evening Star, Issue 25993, 7 January 1947, Page 6

Watersiders Defiant

No Overtime Accepted Government Enforces Ultimatum (P.A.) WELLINGTON, January 6. As normal hours of work were not resumed on the New Zealand waterfront to-day, the Government issued an Order to-night suspending the powers and authorities of the Waterfront Industry, Commission, with the exception of the two Orders governing the Labour Engagement Bureau and the central pay .offices. This action was in|pccord with the policy announced last week by. the Prime Minister, Mr Eraser, who gave the Waterside ■Workers’ Union until to-day. to resume normal hours of work, after which the Government would suspend the commission’s power. The watersiders in all the chief ports have continued the 40-hour week policy. It is now reported, however, that within the union there is a body of opinion in favour of a return to normal hours to facilitate a settlement. Some interested quarters were anxious to-night to have it made hnown that the union-branches in Picton, Nelson, Westport, and Greymouth had asked the National Executive to resume normal*work to promote a settlement. To this report, the national secretary, Mr T.,Hill, replied that in all ports the men were standing firmly by the policy of the National Executive.