The Waterfront Deadlock

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26353, 7 January 1947, Page 4

The Waterfront Deadlock

COMMISSION’S POWERS SUSPENDED Workers 9 Solidarity Questioned (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. As normal hours of work were not resumed on the New Zealand waterfront to-day, the Government issued an Order to-night suspending the powers and authorities of the Waterfront Industry Commission, with the exception of the two Orders governing the Labour Engagement Bureau and the central pay offices. This action was in accord with the policy announced last week by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, who gave the Waterside Workers’ Union until to-day to resume normal hours of work, after which the Government would suspend the commission’s power. The elimination of the authority of port committees, the abandonment of the co-operative contracting system, and the suspension of numerous privileges and improvements in working conditions enjoyed by the watersiders are involved in the Suspension Order. The Commission is not abolished. It retains control of the labour engagement bureau and the central pay offices, in which the greater part of its staff is employed. The contract system, which involves considerable staff, will, however, with its elimination leave the Commission with smaller staff requirements. The present size of the Commission staff throughout New Zealand is 160 to 170. The Order suspends regulations 9, 10, 13, and .21 of the Waterfront Industry Emergency Regulations, 1936, and all of the orders, directions, or decisions made or deemed to have been made by the Commission or any port committee under the Regulations except orders numbered 110 and 111 affecting the operation of the labour engagement bureaux and pay offices. The suspension order dries not apply to various minor ports. Meanwhile, watersiders in all ports have continued the 40hour week policy. It is now reported, however, that within the union there is a body of opinion in favour of a return to normal hours to facilitate a settlement. Some interested quarters were anxious to-night to have it made known that the union branches in Piet on, Nelson, Westport, and Greymouth had asked the National Executive to resume normal work to promote a settlement. To this report, the national secretary, Mr T. Hill, replied that in all ports the men were standing firmly by the policy of the National Executive.