LABOUR DISPUTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12082, 10 August 1917, Page 3

LABOUR DISPUTE.

WELLINGTON GAS COMPANY TROUBLE.

DISCUSSED BY PARLIAMENT

[From Our Correspondent.]

■WELLINGTON, August 0

"What is taking place in Australia and disturbing statements which are being made in New Zealand wore the reason given by .Mr Hornsby for asking the Prime Minister to-day if the Government would recognise the necessity for ending the difficulty between the Wellington Gas Company and its stokers. " The reason why I ask." added Mr Hornsby, " is that, not to put too fine a point upon it, we may be entering upon a phase of the question which threatens an upheaval in this country.'' Mr Massey assured members that he had done everything possible to bring about a settlement. As the result of a long conference between himself and the parties an agreement was signed and Mr Justice Stringer accepted the position as arbitrator. "The agreement was not carried out," continued Mr Massey, li and 1 can only come to the conclusion that there is some influence at work which does not appear on the surface. I don't want to reflect on either the men or the company, but in a period such as this, when the Empire is involved in war and New Zealand is trying to do its full share, both employers and men should do every tiling possible to avoid industrial disputes, and if thejre was more give-and-take by both parties there would be fewer difficulties. I have called officially on the people concerned to comply with the agreement but T hare .received no answer."

Mr Vigor Brown : Cannot- the Government run tho gas works itself? Mr Massey replied that this suggestion had been put forward, but if adopted it would establish an awkward precedent for other disputes, because tlie first suggestion would be to take riie. industry over. "What would tho representatives of tho industrial classes say to this. '" T am prepared to face any difficulty that comes along." added the Prime Minister. " T don't want to fight.'' I>r Thacker: No, you're a. stonewaller.

Mr Massey: But if a. fight is forced upon its we will put up the best fight possible. He continued that the present difficulty was not- with the gas workers but with the watersiders. who refused to discharge cargoes of coal for the Gas Company. Mr Hornsby: There's only one man, on the Oas Company's side, who is stopping this agreement, and he's an employer.

Mr Massey: Tf it is possible for one man to stop it. what are the others doing 9 T will do, and I believe we have done, everything possible to settle the dispute.