DISPUTE SETTLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22853, 7 October 1937, Page 12

DISPUTE SETTLED

GISBORNE WATERFRONT SHIPS WORKED YESTERDAY CONGESTION IN THE PORT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] GISBORNE, Wednesday The success of yesterday's conference between representatives of the shipowners and the Waterside Workers' Union, with oflicials from Wellington in attendance, was sealed to-day when members of the Gisborne union accepted employment for the discharge of general cargo and coal from the collier Karepo, and gangs were subsequently engaged for the working of cargo fwom the Mako. Margaret W. and Paktira. All available unionists were absorbed, as well as a number of non-unionists. Details of the recommendations made to the unionists at their special meeting this morning have not been disclosed officially, but it is understood that the general cargo of the Karepo is to lie worked with II men to each hatch. Any dispute arising out of subsequent changes in the number of men worked will be referred to the national disputes committee without stoppage of work on the Gisborne waterfront.

The congestion in the port will be most felt to-morrow, when the Pukeko arrives from Auckland with two weeks' shipments of cargo for Gisborne, and the Wainui is to arrive from the south with produce and general cargo. Space in the wharf sheds will be at a premium for a few days, and facilities for deliveries to business premises in the town will be taxed to the utmost. STATE COAL MINES LOSS OF WORK AVERTED f IIY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] G RE"YMOUTII. Wednesday The threatened stoppage of work in the State coal mines has been averted by the Union Steam Ship Company's decision to transpose the loadings of the Karu to replace the Karepo, which has been held up at Gisborne. The Karu will now take 1000 tons of coal on Saturday for Wellington, and it is hoped the Karepo will be able to arrive early next week to take loadings for Auckland and Portland. It is announced that there is now evoj-y possibility of the Railway Department's orders for coal from the Paparoa Coal Company being reinstated. In view of this, it has been decided by the management that the notices for the dismissal of 30 men, of which the possibility was announced last week, will not be proceeded with in the meantime.