DOCKERS’ UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20261, 9 November 1935, Page 8

DOCKERS’ UNION

REGISTRATION NOT GRANTED APPEAL TO COURT By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 8. An appeal against the refusal of the Registrar of Industrial Unions, Wellington, to register the Auckland Dock and Wharf Workers’ Society was heard by the Arbitration Court. Mr Justice Page presided. The Society was represented by Mr Hall Skelton and the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union by Mr J. Roberts, of Wellington. Mr Skelton said the position had arisen owing to the fact that the Auckland Waterside Workers’ Union was a restricted Union so far as membership was concerned. In addition to unionists, there were a number of non-unionists or "seagulls” who worked on the wharf. There were occasions on which all the unionists were employed, and it was than that the “seagulls” and sometimes strangers as well received work. The Auckland Dock and Wharf Workers’ Society had been joined by 78 “seagulls,” to whom the doors of the Union had been barred, said counsel. These men had been deprived of the privileges of unionism. They were all genuine workers and in busy times their services were frequently required and they were a useful body to the Waterside Workers’ Union. “But the position is unfair, because the ‘seagulls’ may start to do edrtain work, but they are replaced by unionists immediately the latter are released from another job,” continued Mr Skelton. “In order to place themselves in the same legal position as the Waterside Workers’ Union, the ‘seagulls’ formed a society and made an application to the Registrar to be registered as an industrial union. We say that on the law as it stands the Registrar is bound to register this society. I think that the Registrar, in refusing very properly suggested that in the circumstances it would be better to let the Court decide the question then both parties would have the satisfaction of knowing that it was a decision of the Court.” Evidence was then given.

In addressing the Court in reply to statements made on behalf of the society, Mr Roberts supported the Registrar’s action in refusing to register the organisation. He submitted that there were a large number of men on the wharf who were the victims of circumstance and who, in many cases, bore just as good a character as unionists. “But the Union cannot carry all these men. and if the Arbitration Court thinks it can it is making a big mistake,” said Mr Roberts. His Honour said that the Court would take time to consider its decision.