AUCKLAND WATERSIDERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1935, Page 5

AUCKLAND WATERSIDERS

RIVAL UNION’S REGISTRATION. [per press association.] AUCKLAND, November S. An appeal against the refusal of the Registrar of Industrial Unions, Wellington, to register the Auckland Dock Wharf Workers’ Society, was heard by the Arbitration Couit. .Mr Justice Page presided. The Society was represented by Mr Hall-Skelton, and the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union by Mr J. Roberts, of Wellington- . . , , Mi' Skelton said the position had arisen owing to the fact that the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union was a restricted union, as far as membership was concerned. In addition to unionists, there- were a number of non-unionists or “sea-bulls,” who worked on the wharf. There wei e occasions on which all unionists were employed, and it was then that 1 seabulls” and sometimes strangers as well, received work. The Auckland Dock Wharf Workers’ Society had. been joined by 78 “sea-bulls”, to whom the doors of the Union had been barred. These men had been deprived of the privileges of unionism. They were all.genuine workers and in busy times their services were frequently required’. They were a useful body to th'e Waterside Workers’ Union, but the position is unfair, because “sea-bulls” may start’to do certain work, but they are replaced by unionists immediately the latter are released from another job, continued Mr Skelton. In order to place themselves in the same legal position as the Waterside Workers’ Union the “sea-bulls” formed a society and made an application to the Registrar to be registered as an industrial union. “We say that on the law as it stands the Registrar is bound to register this society. I think the Registrar in refusing, very properly suggested that in the circumstances, it would be better to let the Court decide the question, then both parties would have the satisfaction of knowing that it was a decision of the Court. » Evidence was given. In addressing the Court, in reply to the statements made on behalf of the society, Mr Roberts supported the Registrar’s action in refusing to register the organisation. He submitted that there were a large number of men on the wharf who were victims of circumstances and who' in many cases bore just as good a character as unionists. “But the Union cannot carry all these men, and if the Arbitration Court thinks it can it is making a big mistake,” said Mr Roberts. His Honor said the Court would take time io consider its decision.