WATERSIDERS DECIDE TO RESUME WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 68, 22 March 1939, Page 8

WATERSIDERS DECIDE TO RESUME WORK

ADVICE OF MINISTERS GOVERNMENT TO BE FIRM “GO-SLOW” TACTICS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED APPEAL TO'"PLAY THE GAME” (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 21. Normal working was resumed on the Wellington waterfront shortly after 1 p.m. in consequence of a decision, which was almost unanimous, reached at this mornings special stop-work meeting. The following official statement was made after the meeting by the Hon. P. C. Webb (Minister of Labour) and the Hon. F. Fraser (Minister of Marine): — •‘At a crowded meeting of waterside workers held at the Tivoli theatre this morning, the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Marineaddressed the men and gave an outline of the Government’s policy concerning any form of interference wila work on the waterfront that would prove detrimental to loading and discharging of cargoes. They emphasised that the Government had supported and encouraged all forms of genuine unionism and assisted workers generally to obtain the highest standard of living that industries could pay. The Government, through the Labour Department, assisted in the enforcement of those agreements, but insisted that once an agreement was come to any dispute or disagreement arising out of the agreement should be referred through constitutional channels to be there dead with by the disputes’ committee, ’ local and national. The case for the . workers should be handled by then I accredited representatives, and | irregular action should not be tolerated. Efficient Work Essential. They pointed out that the very in- i dustrial life of the community and i the maintenance of a high standaiu of living was dependent upon efficient • work, not only on the waterfront , but throughout New Zealand, and ap- j pealed to the men to appreciate that ; point of view. They pointed out that j the Government would not protect men who would not do a reasonable day’s work for the money received.; and they were most emphatic that n the men declined to work they couid ’ not expect, and would not get, the Government's backing. It was agreed by the workers themselves tnat a small minority of their members were not playing the game. The Ministers appealed to those members to play the game and oo a fair day.-,' work. Failing that they could not • expect to enjoy the privileges of a[ closed union and equilisation of hours. There Can Be Only One Government. The Ministers also pointed ou 1 plainly the steps the Government would be compelled to take if inc nation’s economic life was continued to be threatened by “go-slow’’ o other detrimental tactics. The Ministers made it quite clear that there could only be one Government, that the Government was fully conscious

of its responsibility to the people of this country and would not hesitate to use its full powers in protection of the interests of the country, including those of genuine unionism, which should, and would, co-operate with the Government in its work for social advancement. Both Ministers were gratified with the excellent co-operation displayed by a great majority of the men, and they left the meeting confident that more efficient work and closer cooperation would prevail. They stated that they expected the same co-opera-tion from the ship owners. The Government was anxious to facilitate economic loading and discharging of vessels, and asked the men for their fullest co-operation in the discharge of that work. A resolution to resume normal working was carried almost unanimously. It was clear that the predominant feeling was anxiety to co-opcrate with the Government in the efficient working of the port and the dispatch of commodities for the overseas market. Cause of the Dispute. In a statement made after resumption of work, Mr. J. Roberts, secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers’ Union, who, with Mr. J. Flood, president, addressed the meeting in the Tivoli Theatre, said that the reason for the waterfront dispute was stated by the men to be that the employers refused to negotiate with the national union. A resolution was carried that the men resume work under normal conditions, and that the national union immediately commence negotiations with the employers for a new national agreement, the present award having expired last July. ' Commenting on Mr. Roberts state|ment regarding the cause of the holdup, Mr. W. H. G. Bennett, secretary ot the New Zealand Waterside Employers’ Association, said that on June 30 last the association sent ths Watersiders’ Union proposals for a I new agreement and gave the union a i fortnignt to reply. The association j received a reply on July 20, but, as it I was long overdue, the association I had by tnat time filed an application I for a dispute to be heard by the Doi minion Conciliation Council. Owing to • various delays, for which the employ|ers were not responsible, the council 1 did not sit until October 18 at Avckj land, afterwards sitting at Napier, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington and completing at Wellington o.> I December 8. The council arrived at la partial agreement only, and recommendations to that effect to be sent to the clerk of awards, were drafted and agreed to by the representatives ■it to the comi 13. Mr. Benj nett said that he received an official copy back on December 24 for signa- | turcs of the employers’ assessors These were duly affixed and the doucumcnt was handed to the union on January 16. The document was finally received back from the commissioner on February 1, lacking the • signature of a union assessor. This was only obtained on February 22. The papers wore duly filed the same day, 37 days after being handed to the union. The Court would not be able to hear the dispute in Wellington at this sitting. Meat Works Not Affected. Both the Gear Meat Company and I he Wellington Meat Export Company stated to-day that the waterfront delay had not affected the operations of their vorks. The loading of carcases is to be resumed to-night.