PAY DISPUTE

Grey River Argus, 10 March 1938, Page 5

PAY DISPUTE

Watersiders Cease Work ON NAPIER WATERFRONT.

HASTINGS, March 9.

Following the intervention of the Government, the loading of fruit on the Port Auckland, which was delayed at Napier - on Tuesday and to-day, tnrough the refusal of the watersiders to work, was recommenced tonight. The trouble originated through the loading of the Rangitiki on Saturday being abandoned because of rain. The men engaged to load her, claimed that they were entitled to more pay than they received. On Tuesday, a heavy swell prevented the loading of the Port Auckland and two lighters of meat had to be returned to the freezing works. The men refused to unload the meat into the trucks until the question of Saturday’s pay had been settled. However, they returned to work at 3.45 p.m., and the unloading was completed at 8 p.m. This morning the men again refused to work and no agreement was reached at a meeting of the Disputes’ Committee.

Later in the day, a message was received from the Government, and the men then resumed work. The decision averts a big loss to Hawke’s Bay fruit-growers, as no storage space is available for 19,000 cases of fruit, not loaded owing to the dispute.

Watersiders’ Meal Hour

LEAVE TO APPEAL GRANTED.

WELLINGTON, March 9.

Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., has granted Gannaway and Company, Ltd., Stevedores, leave to appeal against the judgment delivered by him yesterday. They had claimed a penalty of £5 from each of twelve men alleged to have refused to load the Port Gisborne on January 13 during a meal hour. Judgment was then entered for defendant in each case, together with costs.