WATERFRONT CONTROL

Evening Star, Issue 26028, 17 February 1947, Page 6

WATERFRONT CONTROL

Single Commissioner Appointed

Settlement Claims Still Undisclosed

Judge Explains Failure

Members in Chains

(P.A.) . WELLINGTON, February 16. The commission might have been different if the representatives on ; , it had been as free as they properly should have been. “ That was the basic defect,” said Mr Justice Ongley, explaining his resignation. “They never were free. Union representatives, for example, were still dependent on union votes. It was a dual position, unfortunately.”

The Minister of Labour, Mr McLagan, said yesterday that a single commissioner would take over the authority and functions of the Waterfront Industry Commission. The Government had appointed Mr A. E. Bockett, who was general manager of the old commission, to the position. ' Regulations providing for the appointment by the GovernorGeneral of a reconstituted commission consisting of one commissioner were issued on Friday night.

The Minister said that he had received the following letter from Mr Justice Ongley:—“ Further to my letter of January 30, and in view of the failure of the Waterfront Industry Commission to reach any measure olf agreement on the matters brought before it during the past few months, and its inability as at present constituted to fulfil its functions, I am writing this letter formally to tender my resignation as chairman of the

commission, and would be pleased if my resignation could operate as from t.o-dav.”

The Minister said that, the Govern-, ment had accordingly accepted the resignation. Mr McLagan went on to say that, in reporting to him on the last meeting of the commission, the chairman said on January 30: “ While I am of the opinion that

one central authority is necessary

to control the industry, I regret ® to report that the commission, as at present constituted, is not functioning efficiently, or working harmoniously, nor in the best interests of the community. The representatives of both workers and employers are answerable to their respective parties, and it has been found impossible to obtain any measure of agreement on

major matters and very often on

The Minister .'said he wished to express his appreciation of the services of Mr Justice. Ongley.