UNEASY PEACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27504, 26 September 1950, Page 6

UNEASY PEACE

Waterfront Situation FUTURE OF AUTHORITY PA AUCKLAND, Sept. 25. Auckland watersiders are reported to have been told at a stop-work meeting today that so far as the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union is concerned the Waterfront Industry Authority had ceased to exist, and that any future negotiations would be “ across the table ” with the shipowners themselves. . ~ This raises the question, of what the Government will do with the authority now that the watersiders have withdrawn their two representatives and the Government’s apparent recognition of the position following the lampblack* dispute and the national waterfront stoppage last week. The national president of the Waterside Union, Mr H. Barnes, gave a report to the stop-work meeting on the dispute, and is stated to nave received “ a very good reception.” Work began on the waterfront about 10 a.m. today. There is said to have been a general discussion at the stopwork meeting on the administrative duties of the Waterfront Industry Commission, and though no suggestions were advanced,' it appears that some overhaul may be sought by the union.

The watersiders were told that the proposed order of reference for the Royal Commission on the waterfront was definitely unsatisfactory to the union. It is believed the union is pressing for direct representation on the commission and for an investigation into the shipowners’ profits and their reasons for the increased freight charges.