LABOUR TROUBLES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 March 1925, Page 7

LABOUR TROUBLES.

HITCH AT GISBORNE. (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION,) - GISBORNE, March 19. Waterside workers this morning refused to respond to a call to load barges with cargo for the Port Dennison, which had arrived from Waikoicepu. Their action was alleged to lie the result of a communication received last evening from Wellington. Watersiders are reticent as to the reason for the action, and content themselves with the statement that the men are at liberty to work the vessel if they want tq, hilt none of them do. Their attitude, as stated, is based on an allegation that the Port Denison was loaded at Waikokopu by non-union labour, but this statement is controverted by a message received from Wairoa yesterday stating that a Waterside Workers’ Union had been formed there. Inquiries made on the arrival of the Port Denison confirm the statement that nonunion labour was not employed at Waikokopu, hut members of the union were engaged at award rates of pay. Subsequently the executive of the union met Captain West, the Marine Superintendent, and announced that they were willing to work the vessel. Work will he commenced this afternoon. S.S. GALE WORKED TO-DAY. CHRISTCHURCH, March 18. One gang of watersiders was engagedthis morning at Lyttelton to work the Gale, which was held up yesterday.