COMING TO HEAD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 21 March 1939, Page 7

COMING TO HEAD

WELLINGTON HOLD-UP r TO-MORROW MINISTERS AND .MEN CABINET'S FIRM STAND (Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. Wellington to-day is a crowded but idle port. Further engagements of labour at 8 a.m. for five vessels, including three overseas, enabled a limited amount of work to be con menced. but by 10 o'clock all gangs had been discharged as the pace of the work was considered to be unsatisfactory Unless a final settlement is made, no more union labour is available but the position appears to be rapidly reaching a head. The Government has arranged a meeting of watersiders in a local theatre at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, when men will be addressed by the Minister of Labour, .the Hon. P. C. *Webb and the Minister of Marine, the Hon. P Fraser. Meanwhile, the public is puzzlec regarding the watersiders' grievance,, -but the most probable explanation is the dissatisfaction regarding union officers who wish to carry out agreements and impose discipline The Shipowners are in the frame of mind that; a , patched'-up peace is useless, Reading only to. further sporadic troubles, but the Government attitude is somewhat reassuring to therr :in its determination that the country's trade must not be liable to constant interruption. Government's Attitude The Minister of Labour declared to-day that the Government was determined, in accordance with its policy both industrially and politically, to use all its powers to provide the highest standard of living and •.to protect the rights of trade unionists by co-operating with the employers to bring about the most economic ■form of organisation for working. * "But when agreements are arrived ,at," continued Mr. Webb, "the Government will insist on the fundamental principle of the agreements ibeing maintained, and if members ■of the unions feel they have a grievance against their union or federation, it is evident they do not need the protection which the trade union movement is enjoying. Obviously, they are in the wrong job, and those acting irresponsibly would, if let alone. i wreck not qnly unionism, but the Government they were responsible for electing. Views Supported "Tllis' is not only the considered view of the Government, but I am pleased,' to ,say, is supported by the heads of the organisations which have contributed a lifetime's work to build up the safeguards now enjoyed. Bt must definitely be insisted that the express policy of the Government is m this respect in keeping with the ttraditions of unionism throughout the world." , The port is unusually busy and expected arrivals of overseas vessels in the next few days will increase the congestion. A substantial quantity of fro?? meat for loading on the Doric Sta: :to-day was returnei to the Feildmg works. The Matua, from the Pacific Islands, via Auckland, was diverted "and her fruit for Wellington will be discharged at Auckland. , ■ To-day's dismissals of watersiders mainly on the Piako, Rangitata and Doric Star totalled about ISO, bringing the aggregate dismissals for alleged "go-slow workers" to 830. Nonunion labour to-day agam at stained from accepting engagement. Both employers' and employees' organisations interested in shipping and Waterside work at Gisborne are understood to have nominated representatives on the local.board of control, .which is to be set up under the agreement made last week in Wellington With the approval of the Government. .When the nominations are approved by the Minister of Labour, the four representatives will meet to elect a chairman as a preliminary to the investigation into local conditions which the agreement made one. of the main objectives of all parties. If uo decision can be reached,.as to the selection of an independent chairman, the office will be filled by the nominee of .the Minister of Labour.