LATE NEWS Support For Engineers In Waikato Strike

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1948, Page 5

LATE NEWS Support For Engineers In Waikato Strike

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, This Day. An open declaration of slipport for the engineers in the dispute at Mangakino has been made by the local sub-section of the Public Service Association. Another important development in the strike is a statement by the -executive of the Mangakino branch of the Workers’ Union, that the dispute is being handed, to.the Federation of Labour by the union’s national officials. The Mangakino sub-section of the Public Service Association, nt a meeting of about 90 members, passed resolutions supporting the engineers, deploring the circumstances leading to the strike and criticising the lack of publicity given the case by the Works Department. The meeting stated: “We are satisfied that the engineers are not fighting unionism, but fighting a disruptive element, which is not working in the best interests of this important work.” A denial that the carpenters’ dispute was part of a “world-wide and foreign-sponsored movement to overthrow all accepted forms of law and order.” as recently stated by the secretary of the Electrical Workers’ Union, Mr G. Albright, was made by the secretary of the Auckland Carpenters’ Union, Mr D. McEwen. He said, that Mr Albright had presumed to pronounce judgment on the merits of the carpenters’ dispute, not only in opposition to the decision of the Auckland Trades Council, but also contrary to the national council of the Federation of Labour, which had unanimously resolved that the carpenters had a just case and would support them by every means in its power to effect a satisfactory settlement. It was a recognised convention in the trade union movement that when a union discussed a matter concerning another trade union, the umon discussed was invited to send a representative to state its position, said Mr McEwen. Had this been done by the Electrical Workers’ Union, the suggestion that the carpenters’ dispute was part of a “world-wide and foreign-sponsored movement” would have been laughed out of the meeting room.

Possible Mortal Blow To Queensland Strike

(Rec. 3.5 p.m.) BRISBANE, This Day. The action of the Queensland branch of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Engineers in ordering its 2300 members to report for work today is considered as possibly a mortal blow to the Central Disputes Committee. The trains running yesterday carried 20,000 passengers, mostly on the suburban lines.. Nevertheless, the chairman of the Queensland Labour Council’s Central Disputes Commitfee, Mr M. O’Brien, predicted in Melbourne that the strike would continue for several weeks. Two major airlines have discontinued their special air freight services,' owing to the increasing frequency of the trains, and so it is expected that only the R.A.A.F “biscuit bombers” will remain in the field.

EXISTING LAW ADEQUATE, MR FRASER SAYS

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “There is no need at present to call Parliament together to deal with the Communist menace to our social and industrial life,” said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, today. “The ex-* isting law is quite adequate to cope with any situation that can arise. “In the meantime it is evident that the majority of trade unionists are awakened to and alarmed at the danger of Communist and fellow traveller control and direction which threaten their unions and the industrial and economic peace and progress of New Zealand, and steps arc being taken all over the country to counteract that baneful influence.”

FIJIANS LOSE SEVEN WICKETS FOR 146

(P A ) DUNEDIN, This Day. Requiring 212 runs to win when they resumed their second innings of 31 for one wicket in the cricket match with Otago, which entered its last day at Carisbrook in fine weather, _ the Fijians, at the end of the mornings play, had lost seven wickets for 146. A feature of the batting was a forceful 48 made by Isoa Logavatu, who hit a six and five fours. McArley, the Otago fast bowler, took two wickets with successive balls, including the wicket of H. Apted, who was bowled first ball, after making 86 m the Fijians’ first innings. Otago.—First innings 217; second innings 251. . Fiji.—First innings: 226. Second innings: P. Kubu, st Mills, b Smith 7: Isoa Logavatu, c Watson b Groves 48; Mosese Dogisa, b McAney 6; H. Apted, b McArley 0; P Raddock, b McGregor 58; L. Bula; c St Phon, i> Watson 25; G. Cakobau, b Smith 5, P. A. Snow not out 16; E. Cakobau, not out 27; extras 7; total for seven wickets, 146. .. tir > Bowling: V. A. McArley two for 28 L J Groves one for 18, L. D. Smith, two for 28, McGregor one for six, E. Watson one for 13.