WATERSIDE DISPUTE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20176, 20 February 1940, Page 11

WATERSIDE DISPUTE

EMPLOYERS CRITICISED CONFERENCE REFUSED AWARD PROPOSALS (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Replying to the statement of the secretary of the Waterside Employers' Association, Mr. Bennett, the secretary.of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union, Mr. J. Roberts, reiterated that he did not want to enter a controversy on the dispute over the stowing of cargo on ships at Auckland.

Mr. Roberts reviewed the dispute and conference and said the workers had asked for a conference but the employers had refused. Meetings of the Conciliation Council were abortive. The Arbitration Court had been jointly asked for a date for a hearing. but the court had refused to grant a date until the parties arrived at a further measure of agreement. A further Conciliation Council meeting was held and some agreement was reached between the parties. As the court was not then functioning, the workers asked the employers several times to meet them and they refused. Refusal of Conference The Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb arranged u conference in December and the employers refused to discuss wages, but desired to refer the question to the court. Mr. Roberts last point was tnat the employers submitted proposals which would cover only 20 per cent of the men. Mr. Roberts repeated that the men did not take direct action. They asked the employers to carry on the work In the same manner as was done at olherports. The employers refused and. although it was true to snv thev were not dismissed, it also was true that the employers said; Well, you are getting no wages,’’ which to Mr. Roberts meant dismissal. Official reports received at head office of the union were to the effect that if Wellington had not interfered, the dispute would have been adjusted at Auckland without difficulty.