REACHING A HEAD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 92, 20 March 1939, Page 8

REACHING A HEAD

WATERFRONT HOLD-UP. PORT CROWDED BUT IDLE. (Bv Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLI NGTON, March 20. Wellington to-day is a. crowded but idle port. Further engagements of labour at 8 a.m. for five vessels, including three overseas vessels, enabled a limited amount of work to be commenced but, by 10 o'clock, all gangs had teen discharged as the pace of their work was considered unsatisfactory. Unless a final settlement is made no more union lalrour will bo available, but the position appears to be rapidly reaching a head. The Government has arranged for a meeting of the watersiders in a local theatre at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, when the men will te addressed by Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister of Labour) and Hon. P. Fraser (Minister of Marine).

Meanwhile, the public are puzzled regarding the watersiders’ grievance, but the most probable explanation is disaffection regarding the union officers, who wish to carry out agreements and imposed discipline. The ship-owners are in a frame of mind that a patchedup peace is useless, leading only to further sporadic troubles, but the Government attitude is somewhat reassuring to them in its determination that the country’s trade must not be liable to constant interruption. GOVERNMENT DETERMINED.

Mr Webb declared to-day that the Government was determined in accordance with its policy, both industrially and politically, to use all of its powers to provide tile highest standard of living and to protect the rights of the trade unionists by co-operating with the employers to bring about the most economic form of organisation for working. “But when agreements are arrived at,” continued Mr Webb, “the Government will insist on the fundamental principle of the agreements being maintained, and if the members of unions feel that they have a grievance against their union or federation, it is evident that they do not need the protection which the trade .union movement is enjoying. Obviously, they are in the wrong job, and those acting irresponsibly would, if left alone, wreck not only unionism hut the Government they arc responsible for electing. This is not only the considered view of the Government, but Tam pleased to say that it_is supported by the beads of organisations which have contributed a lifetime’s work to build up the safeguards now enjoyed. It must definitely he insisted that the express policy of the Government is. in this respect, in keeping with lie traditions of unionism throughout the world.”