MANGAKINO CASE FOR GOVERNMENT

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1948, Page 7

MANGAKINO CASE FOR GOVERNMENT

Concluded Before Tribunal

HAMILTON April 22

Further evidence as to activities Mr L. V. Clapham, secretary or the local branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, was given when the tribunal inquired into the Mangakino dispute to-day. The tribunal comprises Judge Dalglish (chairman), Mr F. H. M. Hanson (employers’ representative), and Mr W. F. Shilton (workers’ representative). Mr J. E. Engel is conducting the case for the Works Department. Mr C. Hair is appearing for the N.Z. Workers’ Union and for Mr Clapham. A church worker told the tribunal that. Clapham had made the Mangakino community anxious and uncertain as to the future. He described Clapham as the most disliked man in the village. , The evidence for the Public Works Department wasx__completed before lunch. Mr Hair (tor the Workers’ Union began his submissions. Arthur Herbert Macpherson, who told of difficulties between himself and Clapham, admitted having written a news item for the “Mangakino Spark,” and having used it to publicise work of the Y.M.C.A. Clapnam once assisted him in obtaining a licence to screen films. He did not blame Clapham for the girls of his staff absenting themselves from work one day.

CHURCH WORKER’S ESTIMATE Arthur Clement Lane, Presbyterian home missioner, told of his differences with Clapham over the administration of the sick bay in the village. On one occasion when the provision of church buildings was discussed, Clapham observed: “If I had my way, you would get none at all.” The general feeling during the last few months had been very strained. Witness thought most of the men were very dissatisfied at the trend of events. The majority, he believed, had been against the strike. Some had expressed to him surprise at the outcome of the ballot. It was being freely said that the sooner Clapham “went down the road” the better. The women in the village felt grayeiy concerned over the prevailing uncertainty. The recent troubles had had a moral and psychological effect on the village. One womj.n had told witness she had lived for six weeks under the strain of fearing she might have to “get out” any day. With such home conditions prevailing the work could not progress harmoniously. Clapham was perhaps the most disliked man at Mangakino and the general feeling was that he would have to go. Cross-examined by Mr Hair, Lane said he could not remember that Clapham’s remarks about church buildings was merely to the effect that social halls and hospital buildings should take priority over churches. Mr Hair: From your comment about the surprise oi some workers at the outcome of the ballot, you are not inferring by any chance that anything was the matter with the ballot? Witness: No, I did not infer that. To Mr Shilton, witness said the ballot was not a secret one in the true sense of the word, in that it was conducted in open cubicles with people moving freely about during the voting. “I do not suggest it was faked, he added. His opinion of the workers at Mangakino was that, although not ignorant, many of them were easily persuaded. To Mr Hanson: He thought a section of the workers had sought another test of opinion after the strike ballot was taken, but their efforts were quashed as being against the union’s constitution. . Herbert Thomas Hicks, head painter at Mangakino said he was a member of the executive of the local union branch until last October, when he refused re-nomination because the Communists were getting a very strong hold and were stirring up political combat. He thought he could oppose them better as a free lance. Mr Engel: How did Clapham get on the executive. Witness: Unfortunately, I nominated him. Mr Engel: We all make mistakes. Witness: I didn’t know his.leanings at that time. I have been a unionist for 40 years. I hope lam still a good unionist, but I am against Communists. Clapham’s influence was insidious, like a boil on the neck which you knew was there, although you couldn’t see it.

To Mr Hanson, witness thought there had been three or four resignations from the union executive since his own, but the reasons given in these casits had been sickness. Witness thought there was a group of .several hundred men at ivlangakino pleged to tigni Communism.

Edgar McKillop, Commissioner oi Works, read a statement reviewing events which led to Clapham’s transfer being authorised. After the engineer then in charge at Maraetai and those associated with him had advised that they would resign if Clapham remained \.on the job, witness himself went to Mangakino. “After the fullest consideration oi the position and with the authority of my Minister I directed that Clapnam should be transferred from Mangakino to the Auckland district,” he said. “I spoke later to the district engineer in Auckland and asked him to ensure, personally, that Clapham received suitable employment.”

Witness said his engineers had forwarded to him copies of the "Mangakino Spark,” which he found to be the official organ of the Communist Party at Mangakino and which was printed by D. Ross and published by Clapham.

It is not my responsibilil/ as a servant of the State to comment on political ideologies,” he said. I appreciate, as to all the engineers in the Public Works Department, that on our works are. men holding a variety of political views, and it is not my concern what views they hoid,_umess, in the propagation of these the smooth running of the job is affected.

From a perusal of the copies of the "Mangakino Spark” I am definitely of the opinion that the publication of this newspaper had a detrimental effect on the harmony of the work at Maraetai. It contained inflammatory articles not conducive to harmonious working, and discrediting references to the conditions of employment on the job,” said witness.

McKillop said there was no evidence that any of the five who felt they were unable to continue on the job with Clapham had ever acted in a high-handed or unfair w 7 ay towards the workmen. Public servants were required to work loyallv for whatever Government was in power. Witness had before him no evidence to justify accusations of political bias against the engineers at Maraetai, In transferring Clapham to Auckland he was acting in accordance with a long-established principle, that the department has the right to transfer any member of its staff or any workman at its discretion. “The action which was taken was quite free from any animosity towards Mr Clapham, but, having regard to the tremendous importance of Maraetai to the nation and the necessity to see that in all respects the work went forward smoothly and harmoniously to completion, I consider it would have been a grave

dereliction of duty on my part had I allowed Clapham to remain at Mangakino,” said McKillop. “ABSOLUTE LIE” Asked by Mr Engel to express an opinion on the references in tne Mangakino Spark such as “running aoogs lor employers’ organisations,'' ano lory quislings witmn the Labour ranks, 1 ' Mr McKillop said he had worked with Mr Eraser and Mr Semple throughout the war aim louno it difficult to put in to words what he felt about such statements, which were an absolute lie.

To Mr Hair, witness said Clapham's transfer was not a normal one in the sense that it was not ordered simply because the worker was wanted on another job. Mr Hair: Would you say it is the first transfer of its kind in your experience?—Witness: Since 1 became Commissioner of Works, yes. Mr Hair: And in your Public Works experience? —Witness: Oh. no. Mr Hanson asked if he did not think Clapham had been treated leniently in merely being transferred, instead of being dismissed. McKillop repneu; "The evidence which has been available to the tribunal was not available to me. I have to remember too, that Claphiyn was a returned soldier with several years overseas service. I did not like the idea of a returned soldier not having a second chance. Witness had full confidence in his engineers and had backed them up in tms dispute. "There must be discipline at Maraetai if the North Island is to have power,” said the Commissioner of Works.