WHARF DISPUTE AT AUCKLAND— Appeal For Unloading Of Food Cargoes

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1949, Page 2

WHARF DISPUTE AT AUCKLAND— Appeal For Unloading Of Food Cargoes

AUCKLAND, August 16 ,(P.A.)._ An appeal to shipping companies and waterside workers to reach an agreement for the discharge of perishable food cargoes was made by the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board (Mr W. F. McCallum) today. Between 15,000 and 20,000 sacks of southen potatoes are lying in ships at Auckland and two large shipments of fruit from the Islands are due soon. Employment to unionists prepared to accept night overtime was again offered at the 'labour engagement bureau at the central wharf, but was declined, and the port was at a standstill for the fifth working day. “Irrespective of the rights or wrongs of the dispute it would be a gracious act if special arrangements were made between the two parties for perishable food cargoes to be landed,” said Mr McCallum. “There is no reason why this food should be destoyed.” Potatoes In Ships’ Holds Potatoes in the Waipori have been in her holds for about six weeks and were showing signs of deterioration when waterfront work stopped on Wednesday afternoon. The Waiana’s large shipment of potatoes has been carried for about three weeks. Both cargoes are urgently needed on the Auckland market to meet a severe potato shortage. About 20,000 cases of bananas from Western Samoa, Tonga and Fiji are carried by the Union Company’s motor-ship Matua, arriving on Wednesday. The Government motorvessel. Maui Pomare has about 5000

cases of Rarotongan tomatoes and other fruit from the Cook Group and Niue Island. She is expected on Sunday. Although both ships have refrigerated chambers for most of their fruit, an importer said that bananas and tomatoes had a very limited life in cool store. Delay in discharging the Maui Pomare’s tomatoes might affect many natives in the Cook Group. The weather this, season has caused a crop failure and the coming shipment of 5000 cases compares with the usual August consignment of 20,000 cases. Growers are hoping for good prices on a short market to help them recover then’ losses.

UNION’S ATTITUDE TO EMPLOYERS’ OFFER

WELLINGTON, August 16 (P.A.) —An offyi' to discuss with employers outstanding waterfront issues was made in a letter sent by the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union today to the New Zealand Waterside Employers’ Association. Replying to a letter from the secretary of the Waterside Employers’ Association (Captain M. T. Holm), the secretary of .the union (Mr T. Hill) wrote that the employers’ letter had been discussed my the' national executive which felt the employers’ letter failed to deal with any aspect of the present position. No useful purpose could be served by debating “situations that no longer exist.” The suspension of the main order of the commission, the letter said, left the union with no order, award, or agreement determining working conditions. “On August 2 and again on August 10 we made a request to meet your association with a view to reaching some agreement,” the letter concludes. “My national executive repeats the offer and is prepared to meet your association any time this Captain Holm said this evening that he had received Mr Hill’s letter and 'had replied 'saying that_ the Waterside Employers’ Association had nothing further to add to its letter of August 12, which set out conditions on. which the association would be prepared to meet representatives of the union.