PORT OF AUCKLAND NOW COMPLETELY IDLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23022, 12 August 1949, Page 6

PORT OF AUCKLAND NOW COMPLETELY IDLE

WATERFRONT CRISIS

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 11. ’ Auckland watersidsrs, at a largely attended monthly stop-work meeting in the Town Hall today, recommended the national office of their union to disaffiliate from the New Zealand Labour Party.

It is understood that there was a strong body of dissent

The rift between the union and the Government which has been apparent for some time has been hastened by the present crisis on the waterfront.

Today’s meeting passed a motion *- jongratulating Mr. Frank Langstone, M.P., on his resignation from the Parliamentary Labour Party following the inscription referendum. The meeting also carried a motion vhich in effect demanded the release from prison of D. Healy and E. C. Roache. officials of the Australian Waterside Workers’ Federation Today the port of Auckland became completely idle, threatening the most serious hold-up since 1913. The watersiders did not accept the shipping companies’ offer to take engagements after this morning’s monthly stop-work meeting of the union conditional on resuming overtime. The em- . ployers did not intend to make a - further call for labour until the watersiders agree to overtime.

Immediate repercussions of the crisis are:—

1. Potato rationing has been introduced and supplies here are expected to be exhausted within a

few days. 2. Gas rationing may be introduced,

Dealt With in a Few Minutes

The employers’ ultimatum was dealt with in a few minutes without a general discussion at the union’s monthly stop-work meeting in the Town Hall this morning. The meeting was shorter than usual. The letter from the Shipping and Stevedores’ Association conveying the ultimatum will, it is understood, be referred to the disputes committee to be set up at a meeting today of a group of about 40 watersiders to whom the matter was delegated. Another full meeting of the union will be held tomorrow morning to receive the report of the disputes committee.

Thirty girls in five snack bars on the wharves and in the cafeteria today received dismissal notices.

The developments will be discussed tonight at the monthly meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Harbour Board Employees’ Association. Significance is attached to a meeting called for tonight by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Transport Workers’ Federation. This organisation includes several large unions. Three Ships Depart

Three vessels cleared the port today —the last to leave until the dispute ends. They were the freighters Koromiko and Wairata and the small motorship Viti. The liner Aorangi is due here on Tuesday from Vancouver. Passengers and baggage will present no problem, but the cargo may have to remain in the hold.

The Auckland Gas Company’s stocks of high-grade coal, which come from Westport and Greymouth, are practically exhausted. Only sufficient lowergrade coal is in hand to continue production for another two weeks at the normal rate, hence the company is considering rationing.