DISPUTE ON WHARVES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22512, 16 December 1947, Page 8

DISPUTE ON WHARVES

COOK ISLANDS TROUBLE SHIP MAY BE “BLACK" (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 16. Reports of industrial trouble on waterfronts in the Cook Islands have been received here. One report is that, after a strike, 14 watersiders were arrested and taken to the court house. There is a possibility that ti e Government motor vessel, Maui Pomare, may be declared “black” by Auckland watersiders when she returns at t) e end of the week. Referring to unrest in the islands, the president of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union. Mr H Barnes, today described the conditions for native workers as “scandalous for a New Zealand territory.” Mr Barnes said that his union wanted the right for the islanders to register their own union in New Zealand and receive a- living rate of pay. Mr Barnes said when the Govern-ment-sponsored union for all island workers was established recently the natives were told 'hey must join or they could not get work. The' waterside workers in the Cook Islands had a progressive association and had had a union for years, but it had been refused registration. When the Government union put one of their men on to work the Maui Pomare recently the progressive association of watersiders refused by vote to work the vessel and the union man was dismissed.

Mr Barnes said that if the details he received were verified when the Maui Pomare reached Auckland it would be most unlikely that the vessel would be worked.