STILL UNSETTLED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21190, 10 November 1938, Page 6

STILL UNSETTLED

Waterfront Dispute Seven Workless Days Further Meeting To-day By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, November 9. The waterfront dispute continues, and unless a solution is found by to-morrow morning, which will begin the seventh day of the deadlock, seven overseas ships and a large number of smaller vessels will be idle. There was no meeting of the workers this morning, but in the late afternoon officials of the Union waited as a deputation on the Shipping and Stevedores’ Association, which was holding a routine meeting. After the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman of the Association, Captain Lewis, stated that the employers had not altered their stand. An announcement made by the Minister of Labour (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) endorsing the recommendation of the Dominion Executive of the Waterside Workers’ Union that the men should return to work, should play an important part in the discussion at the meeting of the Unionists to-morrow morning. The men have been steadfast in their attitude that they are ready and willing to work all ships except the Waiana and Kaimiro, but the Minister’s pronouncement may result in the barrier being removed. With many sections anxiously watching the situation, which has not been altered in the slightest degree for a week, the decision reached by tomorrow morning's meeting will be the most important made since the deadlock began. If no settlement can be found, more than 90,000 tons gross shipping will be idle in port pending the resumption of work. The overseas ships Arawa and City of Lyons, which will arrive early in the afternoon, will remain /at anchor in the stream. Shipment of Oranges The Wanganella, which arrived from Melbourne and Sydney, lay idle during the day, a serious aspect being given her position by the presence of a large shipment of oranges. The liner is in the meantime announced to leave for Sydney on Friday afternoon, and any instructions for delay in her departure will be made from the Melbourne Office of the Huddart Parker Company. As a result of the dispute the liner Rangitiki has been diverted to Auckland as her final port of loading instead of Napier. She will now arrive about Monday Instead of Friday, but her sailing date from this port for London has not yet been announced., The Westport Coal Company collier Canopus, which arrived overnight from Westport, was able to begin discharging/ as a considerable portion of coal could be handled by cranes and grabs. In order to allow discharge of dairy produce from non-refrigerated coastal vessels, the Waterside Workers’ Union has raised no objection to the working of the Northern Company’s fleet by the company’s staff. This, however, is not a large body of men, and considerable delays have resulted to the movements of ships. Tanker Works The motor-tanker G. S. Walden, which arrived this afternoon from Sumatra, was working, as the pumping equipment handled her petrol cargo. Even if work is resumed to-morrow, it is unlikely that many of the affected ships will be able to clear port by the week-end. As nine overseas vessels will arrive by Monday, serious congestion is inevitable. In addition, a shortage of labour will also result, as the full strength of the Union, even when assisted by non-Union workers, will be unable to man the ships. RECOMMENDATION DEFIED MINISTER CONDEMNS ACTION By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, November 9. Defying the recommendation of the National Executive that they should return to work on terms in line with the award, the Auckland watersiders have decided to hold out. This action has been condemned by the Mlnls'er of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, who declares that such actions will ultimately have the effect of destroying the working class altogether. Discussing the Auckland waterside dispute Mr Armstrong said he had been constantly in touch with the parties concerned. The heads of both sides were in Christchurch on Monday on Conciliation Council business, and he met them together, making some suggestion for the settlement of the Auckland trouble. He was informed that later in the day the parties concerned agreed upon terms of settlement, which he understood were strictly in line with the terms of the award. That recommendation was telegraphed to the Auckland watersiders and their own National Executive recommented them to resume work on those terms. As a matter of fact the men at a meeting had decided to hold out iu defiance of the recommendation of their own executive. This tendency to ignore directions of the controlling body of their own o~ fc anisation must ultimately have the effect of destroying the working class altogether, and as Minister of Labour le could only endorse the recommendation of the watersiders’ own National Executive and strongly advise the Auckland men to act accordingly.

NOTICE or DISMISSAL SUGAR WORKERS’ AFFECTED By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKL AND, November 9. Through the dispute on the Auckland waterfront, employees at the Chelsea works of the Colonial Sugar Refining Co., Ltd., have been given a week’s notice of the termination of their employment because of the dis-

location of the company’s business, which is dependent on shipping.

A considerable number of workers is affected. It is stated that operations are suffering through the holding up of large supplies of sugar.

Should the strike be settled before the expiry of the men’s notices, their employment will be continued.