“INEXCUSABLE”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20983, 11 March 1938, Page 8

“INEXCUSABLE”

FREQUENT DELAYS ON WATERFRONT ACTION THREATENED BY GOVERNMENT (From Oiii Parliamentary Reporter! WELLINGTON. March 10 Although members of the Government are greatly disturbed at the frequent recurrence of troubles with regard to waterside work in New Zealand ports, no legislative action to meet the position is contemplated this session. In view of the delays to shipping at Napier and Greymouth, both the Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage and the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong were asked to-day to comment on the matter, and their replies were to the effect that the Government was contemplating taking action to prevent future troubles.

“We cannot tolerate the present position.” said Mr Armstrong. “If the watersiders have not got the commonsense td settle their difficulties themselves the Government will deal with the matter. I am not discussing the individual rights and wrongs in any particular dispute, but the fact remains that there is a provision in the current agreement for the settlement of disputes without any stoppage of work. If the Union cannot control its men on the waterfront, we will find another organisation to do it. No Government can tolerate this sort of thing any longer. It is Inexcusable.” The Prime Minister agreed that the frequent delays on the waterfront constituted a grave problem. Any holdup in the loading of produce was a serious matter. A sub-committee of the Cabinet had been appointed to consider the best method of dealing with the position and to discuss the advisability of appointing some competent tribunal to make a thorough investigation. However, that sub-committee had not yet reported to the Government.

“If action is required it will be taken,” the Prime Minister added. “I do not say that the waterside workers are entirely to blame. There are interests in this country which would stop at nothing in their attempts to discredit and embarrass the Government. As it is. we had have fewer troubles with the watersiders than have been experienced by previous Governments.” COASTAL SHIPS IDLE By Telegraph—Press Association GREYMOUTH, March 10 The Anchor Coy’s steamer Titoki, which arrived yesterday, has not been worked and it is improbable that operations will be commenced tomorrow morning. The 30 men engaged at the 8.45 o’clock call yesterday morning were available on call, but tire company cancelled the order as the vessel was about to enter the port in the afternoon. No reason for cancellation has been given and the efforts of the Watersiders’ Union to have a meeting of the disputes committee called have not so far been successful. It is stated that the working of cargo is done differently here from other ports, as here seamen are not permitted on the winches except between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The dispute has no relation to the recent disputes at Napier and Gisborne. The Titoki, which has a cargo of cement, is the only vessel in port. The Gabriella and Kaimiro are expected to-morrow with cargo.