The Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1939. Flouting the Arbitration System

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 174, 26 July 1939, Page 4

The Times WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1939. Flouting the Arbitration System

Just a week ago the Government rushed a Bill through Parliament in the midst of the Address-in-Reply debate, giving the Minister of Labour power to deregister unions causing stoppages of work. Its intent was to deter strikes by unions working under Arbitration Court awards. Such a strike was then in progress and had been for some weeks. The union concerned, the Otahuhu Chemical Manure Workers’ Union, was Reregistered within a few days of the passing of the Bill referred to. Negotiations then were opened by the union with the manure manufacturers and yesterday a “galorious victory” for the strike weapon was announced. The terms of settlement provide for lid hourly wage increase, approximately 5 per cent, advance. Not only has the striking and deregistered union suffered no loss whatsoever for its misdemeanour, but it appears to have gained greatly by its unlawful actions. On the recent awards of the Arbitration Court, reinforced by the Government’s appeal for stabilisation of costs, there was but faint prospect, if any, of there being the slightest wage increase given in this case. The union had called a strike in defiance of an award granted only last October and legally in force till October next. But little imagination is needed to see how' any association of employers would have fared had they taken a like action and tried to gain a 5 per cent, wages cut. This illustrates well a prime complaint at the Arbitration legislation; its one-sided enforcement. The deregistration amendment of last week was intended to equalise the situation. But on a first trial of strength between the Government and a union, the former has suffered a major defeat. Industrial anarchy has triumphed over law and order; only temporarily, we hope, and also believe. But even so, this opening defeat makes harder the task of the Minister of Labour, for discipline must be enforced sooner or later. At the same time that condemnation of the strikers is uttered, censure is also to be passed upon the employers concerned. On the face of the situation there is scon no sound, good reason why they should have given in. There is an impression created that they sold out for peace at any price, knowing full well that the increased costs could be passed on. And so, back these will come, as ever, to the farmers —the one section who can never pass it on. The settlement of this strike is just as unsatisfactory ns was its declaration and continuance.

The Port of Foxton The port of Foxton was prominent in the early development of this district and gave service long before any connection by rail was available with 'Wellington or elsewhere. During the present century, right up to about eight or nine years ago, the flax industry provided much freight and so maintained a busy port. The fading of that industry, however, has seen the need for this port seriously impaired. Co-incident with that lo?s the silting and shoaling of river and bar appear to have developed unprecedentedly to menace regular shipping programmes. So greatly has the situation deteriorated that the future oE the port now appears highly uncertain. The report provided the Palmerston North City Council at last Monday evening’s meeting by the town clerk and analysed in so masterly a manner by Cr. AV. G. Black makes sorry reading. There would appear to be little alternative to closing down the business. A conference is to be called of contributing local bodies to determine the future existence of the port. Should it be closed up the city must continue to pay towards.its loan indebtedness until 1961, another 22 years, a maximum sum of £339 annually. Other local bodies of the district would face a like commitment proportionate to their basic liability. To maintain an open port is now a losing proposition and money would be saved by closing it. The only, and an improbable alternative, is to so increase the traffic as to make a working profit. Fortunately for the town most concerned, Foxton has now many other interests and so the loss of port facilities would mean comparatively little curtailment of its activities.