CALL TO WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23602, 11 March 1940, Page 6

CALL TO WORK

VOLUNTEER LABOUR MR. DARLOW'S STATEMENT ENGAGEMENT AT NOON In announcing that lie would carry out his promise to see ships worked to-day if no settlement, had been < reached the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr. W. B. Darlow, , stated last night that the waterfront j labour bureau on Central Wharf would be opened at noon to-day for the engagement of volunteer workers. "'I sincerely regret that no settlement has been reached over the weekend," said Mr. Darlow. "I was hoping that wise counsel would prevail and that everything would be subordinated to the despatch of the overseas vessels. The work of the port must proceed, especially with the Empire at war. Our Government has stressed the urgency of the despatch of produce overseas, where it is so urgently needed'•'Naturally, I was under the impression that these simple facte would be patent to every citizen and that 100 per cent of the population would lend their energies to achieve that end. 1o say I am disappointed is putting it mildly. However, the ships are going to be loaded and, as our watersiders are evidently not going to do the job, I have no alternative but to call on volunteer citizens to come forward and assist in this most essential work. The labour bureau at Central Wharf will be opened at noon on Monday tor the j engagement of necessary labour. Replying to a challenge from the union to substantiate statements made on Friday concerning the "torpedoing" of exports overseas Mr. Darlow said that his remarks were fair and founded on facts. He did not intend to divulge his sources of information, as it would be a deliberate breach of confidence, and he would not withdraw or apologise for his comments. An informal meeting of the Harbour Board will be held at 10 o'clock this morning. MINISTERS' VISIT DISCUSSION WITH UNION MEETING THIS MORNING THE GOVERNMENT'S VIEW [by TELEGRArH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Sunday The Auckland waterfront position was discussed at meetings of the Cabinet during the week-end, following the return to Wellington of the deputyPrime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, from a recruiting campaign tour in the South Island. The main development was the departure from Wellington to-day of the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, for Auckland. The two Ministers have gone to meet the waterside workers at a special meeting to be called to-morrow morning, when they will discuss the whole position with them frankly and make plain the Government's attitude on the situation which has arisen. SPREADING DISPUTE DRIVERS' UNION VIEW USE OF VOLUNTARY LABOUR The possibility of other unions becoming involved in the waterfront dispute if voluntary labour is employed to work cargo was raised in a statement by the secretary of the Drivers' Union, Mr. L. G. Matthews. To some extent the union was surprised at the threats implied in the statement by the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr. W. B. Darlow, relative to the dispute, Mr. Matthews said, and it felt it necessary to make some reply and comment on the statement as to how it affected drivers.

"In the first place it must be quite clear to Mr. Darlow that organised workers are not going to be enjbroiled in a dispute which at the minute is confined to waterside workers and the shipowners," Mr. Matthews added. "We are desirous of so confining that dispute. It is quite clear to us that Mr. Darlow's contemplated action would be instrumental in spreading it." It might be much more practical if Mr. Darlow used his influence with the shipowners to effect a settlement of the dispute rather than threaten the workers with direct action. In the event of Mr. Darlow employing voluntary labour to discharge the ships, he would still be faced with the necessity of having the cargo removed from the sheds.

FARMERS' ASSURANCE "FOR LAW A NT) ORDER" "While I do not care to say much at this stage, I think the patience of the country will be quickly exhausted if any section of the community is going to obstruct the country's war efforts," said Mr. W. W. Mulholland, Dominion president of the Farmers' Union, in reply to a question at East Tamaki 011 Saturday night as to the attitude of tlio farmers in the event of the waterside dispute at Auckland continuing. Mr. Mulholland said he assured the Government some time ago that the farmers could be depended upon to be on the side of law and order. Meantime, he did not think it wise for the farmers to go bumping; their heads against brick walls.