UNEASY PEACE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22320, 3 May 1947, Page 4

UNEASY PEACE

\ * WHARF OUTLOOK] LEADERS ACTIVE STORMY CONFERENCE It is’ thought that the “Munich’ peace on the waterfront which was declared after the lengthy dispute which ended in January may be drawing to a close, states the Wellington correspondent of the New Zealand Herald. The watersiders are mobilising their forces for a further test of strength with the Government. The first round has already been fought. The national executive of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union has been meeting in Wellington for the past two days, and the first indication that matters were coming to a head was a stormy meeting on Wednesday afternoon in the office of the Minister of Labour, Mr. A. McLagan. The meeting lasted several hours, and is reported to have ended on a far from happy note. It is understood that one of the matters discussed between the watersiders and the Minister was a proposed new method of controlling the waterfront. The suggestion is that the Government plans to establish another commission consisting of two Government representatives and one each from the employers and the union. Auckland Stop-Work Meeting The watersiders’ national executive meeting finished on Thursday, and members were to return to their homes yesterday, A stop-work meeting on the Auckland waterfront will be held on Monday morning, which will be addressed by the national president, Mr. H. Barnes, and the national vice-president, Mr. A. Drennan, both of Auckland. Both Mr. Barnes and Mr. Drennan attended the national executive meeting in Wellington. Another speaker at the Auckland •stop-work meeting will be the national secretary of the union, Mr. T. Hill, who expects to fly to Auckland to-day. It is probable that no work will be done on the Auckland wharves on Monday. Similar stop-work meetings have been, arranged for Wellington. Lyttelton ?nd minor ports. The national executive will then reassemble in Wellington on Mondav week, when the policy for future action will be determined. Organising Their Forces It is significant that the special conference of the national council of the Federation of Labour to discuss, the delays in the application for a revision of wages will be held in Wellington on theYollowing day. Ever since their partial victory over the Government as a result of the protracted dispute which lasted over Christmas and into January, the watersiders have been organising their forces. Their leaders have been active, particularly in Auckland, in attempting to woo other unions, chiefly in the transport field, in preparation for a renewal of their pressure on the Government.