WHARF DISPUTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 12 May 1945, Page 5

WHARF DISPUTES

AUSTRALIA'S WAR EFFORT HANDICAPPED “CAUSE OF PROLONGED PACIFIC CAMPAIGN” FEDERAL OPPOSITION’S ALLEGATION Canberra, May 11. “This Government must be held accountable for prolonging: the prosecution of the Pacific war, for the loss of Australian lives through lack of shipping facilities and for delay in alleviating the distress of thousands of hungry people in war-torn Europe,” declared the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Harrison in the House of Representatives, to-day. He had moved an adjournment of the House to discuss: “The failure of the Government to maintain effort and production on the waterfront.” Mr Harrison accured the Government of bowing down before Commun-ist-controlled unions. An attempt was made by the Government to dissuade Mr Harrison from moving the adjournment. The Acting Attorney-General, Mr Beasley, claimed that waterfront troubles were inextricably bound with the proceedings now before the courts. After the Speaker, Mr Rosevear, had ruled that no discussion could take place on cases before courts (concerning ships’ joiners and dock ironworkers). Mr Harrison was asked whether he wished to proceed with his motion. Mr Harrison said he did and every member of the Opposition stood up in their seats to indicate their support. Mr Harrison alleged that naval vessels, merchant ships, oilers and others had sailed from Sydney unserviced, unloaded or only partly loaded,' because of waterfront troubles. The failure of watersiders to work meant that soldiers were offering not only their life blood, but their sweat and physical strength to do tasks which were not theirs. Had it not been for these enlisted men Australia’s war effort would have been sabotaged by men working on the waterfront. It was impossible to assess the number of ships delayed as a result of stoppages and “go slow” tactics. Sydney wharf labour shortages in April had ranged higher than 1000 men. Replying, Mg Beasley said conditions existing on the Australian waterfront and also in the coalmining industry were prevalent in th e same industries in ojher countries. Neither he nor the Labour Federation condoned the stoppages, but it was a fact that the millions of tons of equipment, supplies and foodstuffs handled by wharf labourers during the war represented a very worthy war effort on the part of these men. The debate is continuing.