THREAT TO TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22847, 30 September 1937, Page 12

THREAT TO TRADE

BUSINESS MEN PROTEST GOVERNMENT URGED TO ACT PRESERVING GOODWILL An assurance from the Prime Min-i ister, Mr. Savage, that the Government would not tolerate what was described as the unconstitutional action of waterside workers in connection with the Japanese vessel Chifuku Maru was requested by a meeting of importers in Auckland yesterday. "It is felt that such methods will seriously prejudice our export trade to Japan and will cause heavy losses to the importers owing to prior commitments," adds the message sent to Mr. Savage. "Unless imports are landed," the message continues, "local factories must suffer for want of material. We feel that your Government will not allow these watersiders to jeopardise tho present goodwill between New Zealand and Japan. The members of the committee at this meeting feel that you will appreciate tho significance of our resolution, and that yourself and colleagues will not tolerate this hasty action on tho part of tho waterside workers concerned. Wo further feel that you personally know tho value of reciprocal trade, which is, after all, the corner-stone of security among tho nations to-day." The probable effects of a boycott on Japanese shipping, on importers, exporters and employees was referred to by Mr. A. R. Phillips, a member of j the importers' committee, after the meeting. Ho stated that a representa-1 tive of one of the largest Japanese srms operating in wool, tallow, hides, skins and scrap metal in New Zealand md Australia was present at the meeting and said his firm's buying would jo held in abeyance until such time as in assurance was given by the Prime Minister that purchases would bo handled by tho waterside workers. A resolution was passed at a meeting )f exporters' representatives yesterday lfternoon drawing tho attention of the Minister of Customs, tho Hon. W. Sash, to tho effects the action will iavo on trade. In the resolution, it was stated that failure to load the ship vould jeopardise existing contracts and vould have an unfortunate influence on future business with Japan. It was unfair discrimination against one particular section, the exporters. ATTITUDE IN WELLINGTON FEDERATION'S MOVE AWAITED [BY TELKGIIArH —TOF.SS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Wednesday It was reported that when tho Osaka Sliosen Kaisha motor-ship Melbourne Maru was at Wellington last week a lumber of waterside workers refused to handle scrap steel consigned to Japan. It was pointed out to the men ;hat there was no restriction on tho jxport of such metal to Japan. Several nen who still persisted in their refusal ;o handle tho cargo were, it was stated, lischarged. lb was further stated that lie waterside workers then indicated Jiat there would bo a general refusal n future to handle scrap metal booked or export to Japan. Inquiry of a representative of emiloyers of waterside labour did not cotirni the abovo reports. Tho executive >f tho Watersiders' Union met and ;old the men to carry 011 with tho vork, subject to a decision from tho lational executive of tho Watersiders' federation. Tho national executive of he Federation of Labour has now ,aken the matter up, however, and iresumably whatever decision is •cached by this body will bo car■ied out by all constituent unions. IRON FOR MELBOURNE MARU NO WORK AT LYTTELTON [by TKLKGUAFH —I'IIESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday In sympathy with fellow-workers at Luckland and Duncdin who refused to aad scrap iron on tho Japanese ships jyttelton watersido workers this mowing decided not to load on tho Melourno Maru any cargo that could 0 used in tho manufacture of war natcrial. There were 200 tons of Japanese argo to bo unloaded, and 40 tons of crap iron to bo loaded, but tho men Iccidcd not to start until they roeived a reply from the National Union eadquarters'. As a result 110 work was iono on tho vessel. It is expected, lurfvvor, that tho men will work the ship o-morrow with the possiblo exception f loading scrap metal. A consignment of 800 sheep which lad arrived at Lvttelton by rail for liipment by the vessel was sent back 0 Aldington in the afternoon, the onsignors declining to. keep the sheep 11 the trucks overnight. An appeal ,-as first made to officials of the union o supply ' labour to load the sheep or the sake of the animals themselves, iiit most of the men had left for their oines and no labour was available. In addition to sheep and scrap metal, he Melbourne Maru is to load wool, ales of sacks and tins of beef for apan, tins of mutton for Hongkong nd sundry cargo for various ports, deluding Noumea.