THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service” WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1950 STRIKE STATISTICS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4347, 25 October 1950, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service” WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1950 STRIKE STATISTICS

In cold figures the Abstract of Statistics points out that 72 industrial disputes occurred in six. months to June 30 last, one more than in the comparable period of 1949. If an average is struck it means 12 strikes a month, or three a week. It also means that 39,000 workers were involved. The figures do not lie. They are accurate in every details; but they give a severe picture of the industrial conditions. Had it not been for the performances of the watersders and the coal miners the record would, have been a good one. The miners and the waterside Workers between them accounted for 88 per cent of the total wages lost because of stoppages, and that gives a fair idea of their contribution to the loss of working time. Coal mining disputes lasted 65 days and waterside disputes 59 days. While the statistics show the debit side of affairs, they can; only imply the credit side. The disputes, it is noticeable, were confined to a relatively small number of unions. While they were busy pushing their demands, the large majority of workers were carrying on. If the majority had disputes, they were settled through the Arbitration Court. If the watersiders and the miners had done the same the industrial scene would have been -a bright one; and the statistics, instead of recording lost days, would have re- ’ fleeted real prosperity.