STRIFE AT RAROTONGA FEARED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22577, 4 March 1948, Page 6

STRIFE AT RAROTONGA FEARED

EXTRA POLICE SENT LABOUR DISPUTE UNLOADING OF SHIPS PICKET LINES ORGANISED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, March 4. A small body of police has been sent from New Zealand to strengthen the police force at Ilarotonaa.

In announcing this, the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser, said the step was necessary to ensure that order _ was maintained in face of the possibility of a disturbance on tlie arrival of the Wairata at Rarotonga in the near future. Unloading of Wairuna Mr. Fraser said the Cook Islands Progressive Association on Monday of this week established picket lines to prevent the unloading of the Waruna by any workers other than members of their own association. Bona fide waterfront workers had been selected, irrespective of whether they belonged to the Cook Islands Industrial Union of Workers or to the Cook Islands Progressive Association.

Association members themselves did not respond to the call for labour, but by carefully organised picket lines union workers were blocked from entering the wharf shed, he added.

As the Wairuna carried only a small quantity of foodstuffs .the situation was resolved by the ship proceeding on her way without unloading. The Wairata. however, was carrying a large supply of urgently needed essential foodstuffs, and it was imperative that the cargo should be unloaded Possibility of Similar Tactics

In view of the possibility that similar tactics on the part of the Cook Islands Progressive Association might result in an outbreak of violence, said Mr. Fraser, the Government considered it necessary to take the precaution of strengthening the island's police force. The Cook Islands Progressive Asso ciation was not an industrial body and there was no justification for it to assume the right to control the engage ment of labour, and it would not be permitted to usurp this power. If the association continued to abuse its position only harm could result to tlie island’s people. In this particular instance it was vital that supplies carried by the Wairata should be made available without delay in order to avoid the complete exhaustion of stocks —now at a precariously low level —of flour, bread, biscuits, sugar, milk, tea, fresh meat, infant and breakfast foods and milk powder. Tlie Wairata sailed at 12.10 a.m. today after a meeting of its crew had resulted in some delay.