“WRECKING TACTICS” SAYS MR SEMPLE

Evening Star, Issue 26031, 20 February 1947, Page 6

“WRECKING TACTICS” SAYS MR SEMPLE

SEAMEN'S STRIKE ON WANGANELLA

INTRUSION OF AUSTRALIAN LABOUR SECRETARY RESENTED

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 19. It was known early yesterday afternoon that there was a prospect of the seamen on the ' Wangauella refusing work, but no announcement was made because there was still a prospect of the trouble being averted. It is now permissible to say that the decision to move the Wanganella yesterday instead of this morning was largely influenced by the intention to transfer the liner before the threatened trouble consolidated.

At 2.30, as the gangway was being removed and final preparations were being made to shift the liner, there were still hopes that the seamen would assist, but it is stated that Mr E. V. Elliott, federal secretary of the Australian Seamen’s Union, announced to the salvage expert that the ship would not be moved that day. The expert replied that the Wanganella would certainly be moved. Within five minutes of the ultimatum arid its rejection, the Minister of Works (Mr Semple) arrived at the ship, and met Captains Darroch, McDonald, and Edie, and others concerned.

The Minister expressed the x deepest concern over the development, and made it clear that the “ wrecking tactics,” as he called thenij hit at the country as well as the shipping company. He said that the fate of the Wanganella was, and always had been, of national interest, and that the Government had made available all assistance to save her, including many of the air compressors. Mr Semple expressed the opinion that it was disgraceful that a strike should have been precipitated at the eleventh hour, and remarked on the fact . that Mr Elliott, a union official from Australia, should have been able to get air transport to New Zealand when travel conditions were acute, apparently for the purpose of intervening in the affairs of the Wanganella in another country.