WATERFRONT IMPASSE

Evening Star, Issue 25994, 8 January 1947, Page 4

WATERFRONT IMPASSE

NO CALL FOR FREE LABOUR YET GOVERNMENT PROCEEDING wMy DELICATE SITUATION (Sp'eciai.) WELLINGTON. Jan. 8. The Government is showing great caution before making the next move to get non-union labour for the extra gangs needed to work after 5 o’clock and on Saturdays on the wharves. A threat by the Wellington Watersiders’ Union secretary that ships worked by non-union labour would be declared black may only be an unofficial expression of opinion,- but it heightens the impression among employers that the industrial position generally is delicate and the trouble could easily expand unless carefully handled. Shipowners are disinclined to force the pace. Their desire is to give the union labour preference when it will work, and employ evervone else available for night work and Saturdays; but who is going to call for free labour? i The fight is against constituted authority, which alone can act, but the Government has not yet made the call for the extra gangs. It was reported late yesterday that the waterside employers had sought the opportuniy of discussing the position with the Rt. Hon. W. Nash, who lias been Acting Prime Minister during Mr Fraser’s holiday. However, the interview did-not take place, the probable reason being a desire to await the Prime Minister’s direct association with the consultation. Mr Fraser yesterday morning was in Queenstown, and is not erpected to return to Wellington till the week-end. The next move—a crucial one—was still awaited this morning.