Action Needed Against ‘Industrial Blackmail’

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1947, Page 6

Action Needed Against ‘lndustrial Blackmail ’

-Mr Holland (Special) WELLINGTON, This Day. The process of industrial blackmail that had followed the stranding and salvage of the liner Wanganella and other occurrences were sapping the moral fibre of the people, said tiie Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) last night. "Things that decent people would not stoop to a few years ago are now daily occurrences—all brought about because no one in a position to do so is game enough to take a stand for what is right, preferring the easier course of expediency," he said. “The industrial situation in New Zealand gets worse and worse, and in mv opinion will get worse until there is someone in this country who will have the courage to take a stand. "UNMORAL, WICKED" "It is positively unmoral and wicked that these things should be allowed to happen in a country which has always boasted of its enlightened labour laws, its spirit of fair play and sportsmanship." Mr Holland said his disgust arose from v.’hat he had seen on his last two visits to Wellington. On the first occasion he had seen the Wanganella sitting on Barrett’s Reef and tugs tied up at the wharf, while men who were employed and paid to tend ships needing assistance argued the point about the pay they should receive. "Now, on my second visit, the ship is in the floating dock with no work being done, while the agitators employ the vicious strike weapon to try to force the owners, by a process of industrial blackmail, to pay 10.'- an hour, since reduced to 6/- an hour, over and above the wages provided for in their awards. “All the lime we talk about helping Britain. Here is a precious, modern ship, most urgently needed to carry people to and from New Zealand, held j up merely because other agitators have held the pistol at the heads of the Government and got away with £320 for 18 days. •