Untitled

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

minor ones.”

Still Hope for Commission Control

Announcing the resignation of Mr Justice Ongley, chairman of the Waterfront Industry Commission, Mr McLagan "said that, because of the commission’s' failure to cope with the waterfront dispute and the obvious inability of the employers and employees to reach any agreement, it became imperative for the Government to intervene. ! ‘ •

Following meetings with the national executive of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, a basis of settlement of the

claims of the union was arrived at, and this would be forwarded to the commissioner recommending that it given effect to as soon as practicable. The Minister said that the Government had been extremely reluctant thus to take over a function that should have been performed by the commission, but

Irreconcilable Viewpoints

“ We all sincerely hoped when the Waterfront Industry Commission began operations that we were going to do a good job for the country, but constant disagreements .frustrated those hopes,” said Mr Justice Ongley.

“ Instead of being a detached

and impartial commTssjon, as the

Government had intended, the or-

ganisation proved to consist of two

sharply different sides attempting to sit as a court. Practically from the commencement, there was no agreement between the opposing sides.” It seemed they were not able to give way, and their hands were tied by resolutions of their separate organisations of, employers and the union. “ I do not know how far they were actually bound, but it appeared that the parties were not able to depart from prior instructions. When no One agreed, the responsibility fell upon me as chairman to decide everything. Eventually it became clear that the situation was impossible. I wish to say, however, that the assistance given by the staff of the commission was invaluable.” Mr Justice Ongley said he did not

The Government has invited the Waterside Workers’ Union to consider the possibility of forming a co-operative company of workers to contract for cargo handling.

This offer has been held over pending settlement of the immediate guaranteed wage demands of the union. Now that these demands have been dealt with, the co-operative scheme will come forward again. It is not certain, however, that such a scheme can be evolved to the satisfaction of all parties. The matter will be under discussion again within the next few weeks between the Government and the union. Asked last night whether the terms of settlement had been communicated

the commission’s failure had left the Government no alternative but to do so or await the practical certainty of a further dislocation of operations on the waterfront.

The Minister said that he believed that all who realised the serious possibilities of the situation would' approve the Government’s _ decision to step in and settle the dispute rather than wait for further trouble to occur. . Mr McLagan stated that, the apujintment of a sole commissioner had been made as a temporary measure so that the organisation could be maintained and the work of the commission carried on without interruption.. The Government still hoped that commission control would eventually prove a success, and it would give careful consideration to the establishment of an extended form of control at the earliest possible , date.

wish to make or imply criticism of the Government. He was satisfied that the integrity of the Government was beyond' question, and_ that it was primarily concerned. with, maintaining the waterfront service without disruption. The Government had been in an awkward situation, and it had’to do the best it could in very difficult circumstances. . The Government, had been faced with the prospect of a damaging rupture of the waterfront service or of compromising to avoid a rupture. He thought that whatever the Government had done or yielded, it had not been because the Government so desired, but because it did not want to let the commission or him down.

Mr Justice Ongley said lie could only guess at the future of the commission, but he thought it was likely to be reconstructed with all its defects, the fundamental one being the attachment of members to interested organisations. The commission did operate for some eight months without any serious holdup on the waterfront until after his findings at the end of last year, when the Waterside Workers’ Union began to work only 40 hours a week. '

State Offers Contract System

to him. the secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Employers’ Association, Captain M. T. Holm, said he still awaited news of the terms.

It is claimed among shipowners that the new ■ agreement will cost them roughly £IOO,OOO if the terms they have learned unofficially are correct. To maintain the functions of the Waterfront Industry Commission while it is being reconstituted, the general manager, Mr A. E. Bockett, has been appointed *sole commissioner on a temporary basis.

Mr Bockett will be informed by the Government of the basis of settlement of the claims of the union, with a recommendation that this settlement be given effect to as soon as practicable.