WATERFRONT STRIKE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12919, 22 July 1936, Page 5

WATERFRONT STRIKE

STBIKERS AT NAPIER ON

SUSTENANCE ?

AN INTERESTING RUMOUR

The question as to whether the watersiders should receive: a Government subsidy Avliile they' are on strike was discussed on .the Napier waterfront as a result of a statement that on© striker, on Friday' receteed sustenance to the amount of £2 ISs. A man interested in the position said: “I made inquiries from the Labour Department this morning and 1 find to my astonishment that sustenance is actually being paid for this past Aveek not only to those direcPy concerned AA'ith the present trouble, but also to those Avho deliberately walked off the 'job,” he said. An important principle is im'olved in the matter of men on strike receiving sustenance, and the shipping representative referred to above said that in vieAV of the Government’s decision not to pay the Napier seamen when they Avere on strike a few weeks ago, the’ payment of sustenance last week to the Avatersiders Avas inconsistent Avith the Government’s policy. When the matter Avas referred to Mr. A. E. Wood, Labor Inspector in Napier, he refused to commit himself in any Avay. “I cannot say anything about it. T have not received instructions ono Avay oi another,” he said. “Is it correct that one Napier watersider received sustenance en Friday?” Mr. Wood Avas asked. “I cannot say anything about it, was the reply. Questioned regarding the attitude of - the • previous Government, Mr. Wood said that as far as he was aAvaro a similar position had not arisen.