Tauranga Fifth Port To Work Normal Hours

Northern Advocate, 16 August 1949, Page 4

Tauranga Fifth Port To Work Normal Hours

WELLINGTON, Tue. (P.A.).—The Tauranga branch ol ; the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union has dissociated itself from the policy of the national union in lestiicting houis of work, and is the fifth port to take such action, said the Minister of Labour (Mr McLagan) today. . The Minister added that he had signed m order restoring Waterfront Industry Commission control and the,benefits that went with it, including a guaranteed wage, to Tauranga watersiders. , , , “I believe that if they were given the opportunity ot expressing their real opinions without the possibility of intimidation, many more watersiders would* follow the example of these five ports and dissociate themselves from tfie illegal action dictated by their national executive,” said Mr MeLagan. The other four ports are Timaru, Motueka, Whakatane ana Tokomaru Bay. _ u: „„ . „ ftrthopn

the company's ships in the northern trade.

Apart from working the coal ship Kaitangata and S number of coastal vessels engaged in the northern trade, the port of Auckland was idle today for the fifth successive working day. The situation remains static, still with no intervention from the Government, while its effects threaten the livelihood of many workers. Cartage contracting in Auckland might soon come to a standstill as a result of the hold-up. “We are having a serious struggle to keep the men going,” said the principal of one firm today. “Business has shallowed down to a trickle and might soon come to a standstill. "There is an enormous bill mounting up - for the public.” Tfie employment of drivers is to be discussed by the Auckland Master Carriers’ Association tomorrow afternoon. ONEHUNGA WORKS Manukau Harbour is providing a shipping lifeline for the city, while the port of Auckland is practically , idle. Coastal cargoes are being handled at Onehunga, and overtime is being worked where necessary. The Onehunga branch of the Waterside Workers’ Union has a membership of 40. Vessels up to 1000 tons can use the harbour, which has a 19ft depth on the bar at low water and 14ft at the wharf, which, has a berthage space for three small vessels. The Rata (about 900 tons) and the Hauiti are ,at present loading for Nelson and Lyttelton rest ectively. They brought general cargo, including a small quantity of potatoes. There are no cranes on the wharf, but coal could be handled with ships’ gear. WELLINGTON MEETING The waterfront dispute was discussed at today's meeting of the national side Workers’ Union in Wellington, executive of the New Zealand WaterThc national secretary (Mr T. Hill) stated at the luncheon adjournment that there was so far nothing to report. He added that indications were that the meeting would continue for two, and possibly three, 'days. The executive had not discussed a letter from the secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Labour (Mr Baxter) asking for the withdrawal of. and apology for, a letter sent by the union to the federation in March. FIVE MEN ENGAGED Five members of the Auckland branch of the Waterside Workers' Union were engaged by A. G. Frankham. Ltd., yesterday morning to work

The men, who are employed without a requisition through the Waterfront Industry Commission’s labour engagement bureau, supplement the firm’s srpall pernrtqnppt staff. They are not called on to work night overtime. A statement on the position issued by the union’s publicity committee and confirmed by Mr A. G. Frankham said: “Union labour was engaged this morning for vessels of Messrs A. G. Frankham, Ltd. “Mr Frankham told the union he felt that a continuation of the present policy of the larger shipping companies would cause hardship to those using the northern ports. “A further stoppaga would be fatal to his company, and as a measure of self-preservation he was prepared to accept union labour without enforcing the conditions imposed by the larger shipowners that the men should be compelled to work overtime.” Mr Frankham is on the executive of the New Zealand Shipowners’ Federation and of the Port of Auckland Shipping and. Stevedores’ Association.