WHARF CLAIMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1947, Page 8

WHARF CLAIMS

POSSIBLE CRISIS j WATERSIDERS BECOMING RESTIVE SUPPORT FROM OVERSEAS? [SPECIAL TO STAR] WELLINGTON. This Day. A Pacific-wide hold-up of ships trading with New Zealand is possible if the outstanding claims by the waterside workers are not met at an early date. All depends on the nature of an awaited pronouncement by the Government, to which the responsibility for settling their long-standing dispute has been passed, following the recent failure of the Waterfront Industrial Commission to reach agreement. If the pronouncement is unsatisfactory it is believed that the watersiders will not only suspend operations on the New Zealand coast, but, will also ask waterfront organisations in Australia and on the Pacific Coast ' of North America not to handle Dominion cargoes. No one ; connected with the dispute is prepared to comment, but it is known that the watersiders, not only in Wellington, but throughout New Zealand, are becoming increasingly restless as their various claims remain unsettled. These claims, which precipitated the recent action of the watersiders in working a 40-hour, five-day week, include demands lor increased wages, a guarantee of 14/daily, the elimination of Saturday engagements, and improved accommodation. It was hoped that the commission would obtain a satisfactory solution, but the long session proved fruitless, and the commission adjourned sine die. Such an indefinite adjournment is irritating to watersiders who want results. Report to Government. In the meantime the chairman ot the commission, Mr. Justice Ongley, has reported to the Government the failure of the discussions. The; report has been delivered to the Minister of Labour, Mr. McLagan. The Minister said he had no comment t make. Earlier Mr. Justice Ongley stated that he could say other than that a report was being mode Mr T. Hill, national secreary or the Waterside Workers’ Union, said he could not discuss further developments, but that he was keeping in close contact with national executive officers and with the various unions. No comment was forthcoming from the national pi asident of the union, Mr. H. Baines, in a telephone interview. While the contents of the report have not been disclosed it is believed that Mr. Justice Ongley has suggested the abolishing of the commission as at present constituted, owing to its faiure to achieve a united policy. Its failure arises from the fact that its members are also executive officers of the Waterside Workers’ Union and of the shipown-

ers respectively. There is a belief that the commission may be constituted as a tribunal appointed by the Government similar to the Arbitration Court. While there would still be workers and employers’ representatives they would be men not taking part in current industrial activities. Looking for Action There is no reason to doubt that the watersiders would agree to discuss the establishment of such a tribunal, but they regard it as a secondary matter at the moment. What they want now is a full settlement of their claims, They are, in no mood to brook delays in deliberations on the merits of commissions and tribunals. They are to the Government for action. If tnat action is not satisfactory to the watersiders’ claims the steps taken will be drastic. How long they will wait ior word from the Government is not known Some suggest there is every possibility of action being taken toward the end of. this week, when the entire waterside would become idle. Nothing is likely to happen, however, without a meeting of the national executive first taking place. This could be summoned at short notice. As a result of the discussions held in Sydney about two years ago the New Zealand and Australian waterside workers have an agreement ioi common action if necessary in disputes effecting either party. 1 here is also a special executive, ol wmen Messrs Barnes and • Hill are the New Zealand members. Communications have also been exchanged in tne past between the New Zealand waterside workers and the American longshoremen, and it is believed that sympathetic action by the latter in New Zealand disputes would be readily obtainable. \