WATERSIDE DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1932, Page 5

WATERSIDE DISPUTE

; PATEA DEADLOCK ‘ EMPLOYMENT OF FREE LABOUR. (Per Press Association— Copyright.), HAWERA, August 26. Wth the signing off of the’ crews of the vessels Hawera and Kapuni, a deadlock was reached in the. waterside, dispute at 'Pater this morning, but there was a surprise turn of events this afteniodhj v£ whoii'’'t‘Hfe > 'steamer Hawera, which arrived in port from Wellington on Saturday, with general cargo, was unloaded by free labour. . . The unionists made no attempt at interference and the ,cargo discharged was completed. , y The deadlock had resulted from the Patea watersiders’ refusal to accept the South Taranaki Shipping \ Coy’s, offer, which differed from the Dominion rates of pay, and subsequently, there was a refusal by the watersjders to resume .work under any conditions till the South .Shipping Company reinstated five of “ita" shore employees, who were dismissed by it for declining ' to work the cargo. The .vessels thus being;, idle, their crews were both paid The possibility has far vouching consequences to the port, following on the trouble was indicated hi. an interview by. jir 3. 'ftsSteigaia, (Chairman of the West Coast Refrigerating Coy.) of which the South Taranak l,■ Shipping Company is a subsidiary concern. The present being a slack season, with no dairy produce shipments for six. weeks, the "Hawera” was being laid up for an overhaul, said Mr Corrigan. The Refrigerating and Shipping Companys would have the opportunity of reviewing the whole position as far as this port was concerned. ’ H© understood that the Railway Department was prepared to negotiate for a railway - contract to Wellington, that would compete with the cost of the seabourne traffic The South Taranaki Shipping Company bad recently received inquiries regarding the sale of the vessels, and though nothing would be done until an acceptable railway > contract had been arranged, there was a distinct prospect, be said, of revolutionary being pany being, continued from Patea, Mr Corrigan contended, the South Taranaki Company should have the right to employ its storemen in working the Company’s own boats. Patea. being a tidal port, it should not be .restricted to the game conditions as the larger ports good deal was being made of the fact that the unionists were willing to work the general cargo at the rate-of Is. lid per hour, with the usual overtime rates fie had offere4 2s per; hour for eight hours, with overtime after eighth^. fiie Secretary of' the* Patea Wat siders’ Union says that the Union was offered 2s per hour, but wjth no conditions and with no .mention of oyerHe was now awaiting, developplants from Wellington,