WORKERS AND THE DEVON

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15398, 5 September 1913, Page 8

WORKERS AND THE DEVON

HARBOUR BOARD EMPLOYEES.

REBUKED AND REINSTATED.

[BY TSLEoaArnspecial CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, Thursday. A good deal of interest has been taken in the labour difficulty which was created in connection with the salvage of the Devon by the refusal of the waterside workers and the Harbour Board's permanent hands to handle the cargo. The Wellington Harbour Board decided yesterday to overlook the breach of loyalty on tne part of its permanent hands, and to reinstate them without penalty or fine

The chairman, Mr. R. Fletcher, explained to the meeting the course of events which led to the crisis. The permanent men had been suspended because the board had a resolution that no one should be discharged without appeal. The board's men had nothing to do with unions. They were engaged as permanent labourers to do the ordinary work of discharging cargo, and in his opinion they bad refused that work without any excuse at all. It was a question for the board as to whether they should be reinstated or not. He was of opinion that the men had erred without thought, and ought to be punished, but he suggested that a fine would meet the case.

. A deputation of six members of the permanent staff was received. Mr. W. Mcßain, the only speaker, said that the men were very sorry for what had occurred, and they admitted that they were wrong. Ho thought if the first eight men had been allowed to consult the executive of their association they would have taken "p the work by one*o'clock, on condition that the Harbour Board looked after their interests and afforded them protection. By the time the association met at 12 o'clock they heard that eight men had been suspended, and the only question touched upon was whether they would stand by those men or not.

The Chairman: You recognise 'you've clone wrong? Mr. Mcßain: Yes.

Tho Chairman: And that suspension was the proper thing to follow ? Mr. Mcßain: Yes.

To Mr. Cohen: They wanted protection from insult. There was no previous arrangement of any kind between the association and anyone else a3 to what action was going to be taken The chairman said that in view of the mien admitting that they were wrong, and that they were rightly suspended, the case could be met by reinstating them and punishing their offence by a nominal penalty.

After some discussion the chairman said he would move "That the board, having considered the matter of the suspension of the permanent labourers of the hoard for refusing duty, and having heard the deputation from the men who have admitted their action was wrong, the board marks its disapproval of their conduct but on their assurance of loyalty in the future, hereby agrees to reinstate them in their positions, as from September 4.-" The motion was eventually carried, after two amendments had been defeated.