NO COERCION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 246, 15 September 1936, Page 5

NO COERCION

MINISTER’S DECLARATION. CALLIOPE DOCK AFFAIR. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Sept. 14. Work by civilian employees at Calliope Dock, Devonport, will continue on Saturday mornings until such time as the Government is able to introduce tho 40-hour week principle. This was unanimously agreed to at a meeting when tho Government’s case was explained to the men by Hon. P. Fraser, Deputy-Leader of the Government. Mr Fraser said the Government viewed with tho greatest concern the fact that the men had absented theiliselvs from work on two successsivc Saturdays. It had been understood after the first occasion that the matter had been adjusted amicably, so a repetition of tho trouble came as a great surprise.

The men’s action appeared hostile to the Government and its policy, and coercive in its intention, said Mr Fraser. The Government, however, was aware that this was not in fact the intention of the men. “Tlie' Government will not be coerced by any individual or organisation, and the sooner this is understood the better it will be for all concerned,” lie added. Authority had been given him to take definite and decisive steps to prevent a repetition of the trouble, which if persisted in was calculated to undermine the Government’s authority. His instructions covered a wide range of possibilities, some of which would have been regrettablo if _ unavoidable. However, he had learned on liis arrival at Auckland that the trouble was mainly due to a misunderstanding. The manager of the Naval Base, it seemed, had been unable to give a complete and definite reply to the men. The Government intended to apply the 40-hour week at the dock as soon as necessary adjustments were made, the Minister continued. Meanwhile he asked the men to accept the present hours and work on Saturday mornings. Air W. B. Cameron, president of the Engineers’ Union and an employee at the dock, moved that the men express complete confidence in the Government and pledge themselves to co-operate with it in tho manner suggested by resuming work under the existing conditions until the Government was able to introduce the 40-hour week.