BREEZE IN ARBITRATION COURT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18442, 28 March 1922, Page 5

BREEZE IN ARBITRATION COURT.

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 27. At the Arbitration Court sittings, discussing seamen’s wages strong exception was taken by the Union repre- i tentative to a statement made by a j witness in regard to coal handling. Cap- I tain Walton, marine superintendent, | stated that coal handling had been reduced from fifteen (or four tons per I gang) per hour, to about ten tons. He i supjioscd this was the result of enemy action. Mr Bruce, secretary of the Watersid. ers’ Union, strongly objected to the remark. Captain Walton, he said, was suffering from an attack of vivid imagination. Mr R. J. Roberts (Federation of Labour) said it was a serious charge to make, for it inferred that watersiders had been in league with the Germans. He demanded a definite explanation of the charge against 6000 men of having been influenced by enemies during the *ar. It could not be lightly passed aver. Captain Walton : I,did not say that. Mr Robelts: You said it was enemy action. His Honour (Mr Justice Frazer) : He has only given it as a possible supposition. Witness said he held the highest opin_ ion of the men on the wharves. He made no charge against any body or individual. His Honour: You said possibly the origin of this trouble might have come from enemy information.