AUCKLAND WATERSIDE

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 November 1938, Page 2

AUCKLAND WATERSIDE

OVER 2000 MEN EMPLOYED.

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, November 14

For the first time in more than a week work began on all ships at Auckland this morning, as a. result of the decision reached by the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union on Saturday. More than 140,000 tons of shipping required labour and more'rthan 2000 men, including the full strength of the union and about 700 non-union men, were engaged in cargo Avork. Contrasting Avith the desolate scene presented on the waterfront last week when lines of idle ships were berthed at the wharves, one of the busiest days in the port’s history occurred. As a. result of postponements in the sailings, two liners, the Wanganella and the Niagara, 'Will leave Auckland on Wednesday afternoon for Sydney within two hours of each other. The Wanganella was scheduled to sail last Friday, but was delayed by the waterside dispute until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and the Niagara, whicli arrived this afternoon from Vancouver, is carrying so large a cargo that her departure has been postponed until 5 p.m., on Wednesday. Both ships will reach Sydney on Sunday. Serious berthage congestion occurred to-day as a result of arrivals during the dispute, and two overseas ships, the Dutch passenger vessel Maetsuycker, which arrived in the morning from Saigon, and the Japanese freighter Sydney Maru, were at anchor in the stream during the day. No berths have yet been allotted for the Union Company’s coastal steamers Waimaririo and Kiivitea, Avhich Avill arrive to-morrow, and they will probably have to anchor. The Maetsuycker will berth, at Prince’s Wharf shortly after 3 o’clock to-morrow afternoon and the Sydney Marw will move to the wharf on Wednesday.

EMPLOYERS AND MINISTER.

WELLINGTON, November 14

The description of the Auckland waterfront dispute by the Minister for Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong), in a statement made at the Week-end, as “an argument between some waterside workers and the foreman of a shipping company,” Was incorrect, said Mr W. H. G. Bennett, general secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Employers’ Association to-day. Mr Bennett said that the question v/as whether »the workers should break awards at their pleasure while the shipping companies should be firmly bound. No body of men should be permitted to force the companies into such a. position. The Minister must realise that there was in no circumstances one law for the ship-owner and another for the man who handled the cargo. Co-operation and faith in the ivritteh or spoken word would bring mutual respect andconfidence.

UMBRELLA-MAKERS WELLINGTON. November 15. A complete agreement AA'as reached yesterday, in the Wellington district umbrella-makers’ dispute. A 40-hour five-day Aveek Avas approved, Avith. the 1 right of repair houses to Avork four hours on Saturdays at ordinary rates. The. AVages are: Journeymen £5. journey women £2/10/-. SECOND COURT’S LAST CASE CHRISTCHURCH, November 15. The Second Court of Arbitration. I the term of Avhich expires ,next TuesI day, heard its last case to-day. The Court will now only issue reserved judgments. MR. MONTEITH WALKS OUT AUCKLAND, November 15. A sensational development occurred at the Arbitration Court, this forenoon Avhen Mr. A. L. Monteith, Avorkers’ representative on the Bench, objecting to certain procedure, AValked out as a protest. Also on the Bench were Mr. Justice O’Regan, president of the Court, and Mr. W. Cecil Prime, employers’ representative. The Court Avas hearing the application for a new award for the Auckland Houses of Entertainment and Places of Amusement Employees’ Union. To-day’s \proc'eedings concerned mainly box office employees, cleaners and caretakers. After Mr. Monteith’s departure, the Court resumed the hearing of the dispute. Mr. Justice O’Regan and Mr. Prime Avere interviewed at lunch-time, but refused comment on the occurrence. Seen later at his hotel, Mr. Monteith declined to refer to the circumstances which led to his dramatic action.