LABOUR DISPUTE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1937, Page 2

LABOUR DISPUTE

WORK ON WATERFRONT. BOTH SIDES STAND FIRM. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Dec. 7. The negotiations to decide whether a settlement can be reached in the dispute which commenced on the Waiana on Thursday and spread to other vessels commenced at 8 o’clock this morning between representatives of the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union and the Port of Auckland Shipping and Stevedores’ Association. During the forenoon the conference adjourned to enable the watersiders’ delegates to confer with the men, who were assembled in the union’s quarters. After the delegates had briefly addressed the men the conference was resumed.

Counting the Wanganelln, which arrives from Sydney at 3 o’clock, there are 24 vessels in port* including nine overseas ships. No work is being done to-day on any of the ships, even those which commenced cargo operations before the dispute arose being unable to work cargo owing to heavy rain. The negotiations throughout the forenoon were in camera, and at the adjournment the chairman of the Shipping and Stevedores’ Association (Captain Lewis) issued tlio following statement; “At the request of the Government a meeting was held this morning between representatives of the employers and the union executives, and the position was discussed from all angles. The union representatives then met the members of their union and after the conclusion of their meeting a further meeting of the representatives of both sides was held, but no agreement could be arrived at. Both sides are standing firm on the original attitudes taken up. It is likely that further negotiations will take place to-morrow.”