Whangarei Waterside Hold-Up

Northern Advocate, 9 July 1947, Page 4

Whangarei Waterside Hold-Up

There will be widespread regret that trouble should have occurred on the Whangarei waterfront, thus marring a worthy record at a time when hold-ups. in big ports of the Dominion were common.

It would be interesting to have the background of a decision which led local watersiders not to work cargo on the motor-vessel Ranginui last week, and again on Monday of this week.

Attempts to ascertain whether there existed a grievance sufficient to require the Ranginui to carry back to Auckland 76 tons of cargo needed in Whangarei were without result, officials of the waterqide union maintaining silence.

It is a pity this reticence should have been observed, for it is safe to say that public opinion would be behind any body of workers who disclosed the existence of just cause for grievance.

At the same time, when it is remembered that machinery exists for the investigation and removal of grievances, the holding up of an

essential industry by means of direct action is reprehensible. The watersiders. though continuing to harbour grievance, resumed work yesterday morning, when the Ranginui. which still had on board cargo that originally arrived in Whangarei on Wednesday last, was unloaded.

Asked why the men had decided to resume work, the president of the union made the cryptic reply: “Oh, well, these things happen, don’t they? If Mr Barnes (the national president of the Waterside Workers’ Union) comes to Whangarei it will do a lot of good.” It is to be hoped, in the interests of everybody, that candour and a spirit of cooperation will mark efforts to remove any grievance which may be found to exist, and that the good reputation of Whangarei’s waterfront will not again be marred.

The people of the district will be anxious to know why the recent hold-up occurred, and for that reason full publicity should be given to any discussions which may take place.