Clash On Berth For Black Ship

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1949, Page 5

Clash On Berth For Black Ship

AUCKLAND. Wed. iSp.)— Opinions were sharply divided when the Auckland J-iarbour Board met yesterday to consider whether, u berth should be made available to the Canadian freighter Ottawa Valley, which has been declared black by watersiders and certain transport unions, as a result of the Canadian seamens dispute. The meeting approved a motion by the chairman (Mr \V. F. McCalltim) to allot the ship a berth when its turn came. "I have discussed tins with the harbourmaster and I. advised him to carry on with our usual routine,” lie said. He asked the meeting to approve his action.

Mr J. Freeland, wiio is secretary of the- Harbour Board Employees’ Union, moved as an amendment that the mailer should be deferred until a satisfactory settlement of the dispute was reached.

"By allowing the Ottawa Valley to remain in the stream tor a .while, we would assist negotiations for a settlement," he said. "If. by any action, we precipitate far-reaching trouble, we would have to accept responsibility.'’ “DUTY TO PERFORM” "Wc have a duty to perform and we should do it,” replied Mr McCaliurn. "We have never been notified that our employees will not handle the ship. “Wc arc going to ask th-> union to assist us, and 1 have faith that our employees will not let us down.

"If they Ho, the board may have to eon: ider ail the little concessions given them over the years.”

The amendment was lost by 10 votes to live.