BID TO END DISPUTE FAILS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22196, 5 December 1946, Page 6

BID TO END DISPUTE FAILS

GOODS ACCUMULATE ON WATERFRONT SHIP SCHEDULES HASTILY WITHDRAWN /p y WELLINGTON, December 5. " While (roods aceimiualted in wharf sheds and stores throughout New Zealand and shipping schedules were being hastily withdrawn in head offices yesterday, the Waterfront Industry Commission made an abortive attempt io settle the dispute between the watersiders and the employers. “ The commission failed lo achieve any settlement and adjourned until December 16. Cabinet intervention is now awaited as a likely move. The chairman of the Waterfront Industry Commission. Mr. Justice One-lev. said last night that Ihc commission simply got nowhere yesterday. Dc called it together for Ihc express purpose of considering the situation which had arisen since the guaranteed Avag-c decision was announced. Neither party, however, was prepared lo move ground at all._ Nothing whatever could lie achieved and the commission, therefore, adjourned until the next ordinary meeting on December 16.

Action Throughout Dominion

There is not an immediate threat of a coal shortage. Overseas Ships Delayed

Meanwhile union branches at ports throughout New Zealand acted upon the direction of the national executive which ordered the immediate introduction of a 40-hour five-day week with work only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until reasonable satisfaction of current demands could be achieved.

A further revision of the schedules for overseas shipping has been necessary. The Hindustan, which was lo have sailed for Auckland on Saturday, will now leave on Monday. The Port Alma, which was to have sailed on Friday for Napier and then to London, will not leave for Napier before Tuesday.

Seven ships carrying cargo, in addition to ferries, sailed from Wellington yesterday. Delays in other ports, however, may offset the accumulation of shipping Avhich developed when the 40hour week policy was instituted. Colliers were discharging yesterday.

A shortage of labour on the waterfront is causing concren. Arrangements are being made for university students and secondary schoolboys to do part-time work as in the past.