AUCKLAND WHARVES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20678, 31 January 1942, Page 7

AUCKLAND WHARVES

GREATER CO-OPERATION MINISTER’S SUGGESTION A statement that if the figures supplied to him were true the waterside workers of Auckland had not complied with their promise to him to give greater unity and co-opera-tion, was made by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, at a conference with the waterside workers’ executive. The Minister called for an improvement, and said that unless this occurred other methods would have to be used to facilitate the speediest turning round of ships. Mr. Webb said subsequently that he made a strong appeal for the most complete unity on the waterfront of Auckland. Shipping was becoming scarcer, and if produce was to be shipped in time to meet convoys it was essential that no delay whatever should take place. While many men worked long hours under trying conditions there would appear to be room for a big improvement in the general work on the waterfront. The least that could be expected of the workers in New Zealand was the giving of their best. He emphasised that any interference with production would meet with the keenest opposition from the Government and that the law would be forced to the maximum. If men were causing trouble in industry they would be removed for the duration of the war, notwithstanding any resolutions passed by the local federations, dominated largely by political opponents of the Government.