LEADERS OF WATERSIDE UNION REAFFIRM THAT N.Z. POLICY IS FOR CONTROL BY COMMISSION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22915, 6 April 1949, Page 8

LEADERS OF WATERSIDE UNION REAFFIRM THAT N.Z. POLICY IS FOR CONTROL BY COMMISSION

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 6. The policy of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union is for the continuance of commission control on the waterfront. This was declared in a resolution adopted by the national executive of the union yesterday and sent by letter to the Minister of Labour, Mr. A. McLagan, in reply to questions raised by him.

The resolution, which the executive announced had been carried unanimously, also declared that the union would continue to accept and abide by the decisions of the Waterfront Industry Authority, provided those decisions were, in fact, the decisions of the authority and not of any other body.

The union invited the Minister to point out any’ instance where the union had refused to accept direction from the authority, except in the Northumberland dispute when, it is claimed, it was loyally abiding by the direction of the national council of the Federation of Labour and the Auckland Trades Council.

Dated April 5, the letter to the Minister read as follows: “Your letter of March 31 was discussed by my national executive today. The following resolution has been passed by my national executive: 1 “ ‘That this national executive of., the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union strongly resents the letter from the Minister of Labour, dated

March 31, 1949. We consider it a most improper interference in the affairs of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union and also a wil-

ful attempt to usurp functions that rightfully should be those of the Waterfront Industry Authority. While we regret the fact that the chairman has seen fit to adjourn the Waterfront Industry Authority sine die, that body is still the governing body and the national executive will be pleased to discuss any problems with the authority at any time. At the same time we make it clear that any issues to be put before our members and any change of union policy will be determined by no one but the proper authorities as defined in oui democratic and registered rules. Policy Determined By Council

" ‘The policy of our union, as determined by our national council, is for the continuance of commission

control. Tfyat policy wil be continued unless and/or until our national council decides otherwise.

“ ‘With regard to the second issue raised by the Minister of Labour we would be pleased to have advice ol any decisions of the Waterfront Industry Authority (excepting the Northumberland dispute when our union was loyally abiding by the direction of the national council of the Federation of Labour and of the Auckland Trades Council) that our union has refused to accept. In accordance with its former undertaking the union will continue to accept and abide by the decisions of the Waterfront Industry Authority provided those decisions are. in fact, decisions of the Waterfront Industry Authority and not decisions of any other body.’ “A copy of this resolution is being handed to the press and forwarded to the chairman of the Waterfront Industry Authority.” The nationhl executive of the union which opened its special meeting in Wellington yesterday is meeting again today.