WATERSIDERS’ DENIAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27569, 11 December 1950, Page 6

WATERSIDERS’ DENIAL

Delay In Loading K Force Troopship PA WELLINGTON, Dec. 10. ' Wellington watersiders deny any delay in loading the K Force troopship, Ormonde. A message on Friday stated that the loading gang stopped work because they objected to armed soldiers in the hold. Watersiders claim the incident was solely a short discussion between the leader of the loading gang, ex-RSM J. Porteous, and the officer in charge of the three soldiers concerned. “ Such misleading reports are considered; by my union to have the deliberate purpose of discrediting the waterside workers,” said the walking delegate of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, Mr J. E. Napier, today. •“I was asked by a reporter at 10 okffock on Friday night if the story was true and I told him it was not,” said Mr Napier. “ The men did not stop work at any time.. When the soldiers entered the hold carrying arms, the job delegate, Mr Porteous, asked the officer in charge what were the Army’s intentions about armed guards, as they would be unprecedented in the Port of Wellington. The officer said it was not intended tb put armed guards in the hold, and there the matter rested. It was merely a conversation.

“My union was responsible for supplying labour and supervision for the loading of many troopships during the war, both for the New Zealand and American armed forces,” Mr Napier said. “It was not found necessary to place armed guards over them. The letters of thanks and appreciation received from both these authorities leave no doubt as to the good job done.”

Mr Napier added that the union thought the statement should be withdrawn and an apology printed under equivalent headlines.